Dreams That Glitter xoxo

OOTD: ‘And the Tartan Coloured Lady she is mine….’

2012-01-29T12:41:00.002Z

Dress: Junk Clothing
Belt: New Look
Shoes: New Look
Bracelets: New Look

Another day, another outfit post, I’m kind of proud of myself! I have been longing to show you all this dress since I got it as I’m super in love with it. This was another Clothes Show find from a shop called Junk Shop (pleased to confirm that there is nothing junk about this place!) which is a unique shopping experience in Manchester which has an interest in green ethics and recycling old clothes into something completely new. Obviously being the green freak that I am I am totally all over this brand. I walked passed this dress every single day I was there and in the end I had to take it home. I love tartan. I think it’s one of those prints that’s a bit marmite, you know, you either love it or hate it.

I adore the Alexander Mcqueen tartan dress that Emma Watson, Rihanna and Chloe Moretz all fell in love with this season, and so when I saw this I thought aha, I have me a rather adorable lookalike! I think it’s the little lace peter pan collar that did it for me, as well as the long sleeves, because not enough dresses have them and it kind of irritates me. I added a belt because I kind of feel like it needs breaking up in the middle, however this is such a horrible belt, it’s just so big and ugh, no idea why I got it now!

I hope you all have a lovely Sunday planned. I’m actually writing this on Saturday because I’m trying to be more organised. I have actually for once, in my 4 or so years of blogging, finally made a list of post ideas. I’ve never really done this before, but it’s also the first time in forever I got myself a diary. I know, I know, the shame of not really having a diary, I’m such a chaotic mess like that!

Oh, actually a few things before I end this post. I think the dress was £35, which is to me a wonderful bargain for something so beautifully handmade and secondly, the shoes I am wearing are the same as yesterday, so if you want to see a close up then you can click here to check that out. Have a lovely weekend everyone ♥♥♥♥.

xoxo

OOTD: ‘You got it all up your blue sleeve…’

2012-01-28T18:24:00.002Z

Dress: Dahlia
Cardigan: The Village Green
Shoes: New Look
Necklace: JOY
Bracelet: New Look

So as I told you all in my latest outfit post I will be featuring a lot of the lovely Dahlia on my blog due to my little spree at the Clothes Show as they were so many bargains to be had. I’ve actually seen this one featured quite a bit on blogs, so I think it’s a popular one. Well you can’t go wrong with a gorgeous no fuss peter pan collar, can you? You can also get this dress in a beige-ish shade but I adore blue, and as I’m a redhead I own so many neutral shades as you can imagine! This is my fist outfit post with my new camera so you’ll have to apologise that it’s currently a little all over the place at the moment. I’m trying to keep it to the one setting at the moment to keep things simple, but hopefully one day I can take outfits posts as well as the lovely Kirsty at Leopard Anchor took them for me last weekend. She will be moving to Canada in the Spring, so I have a few months more of tutorials I hope!

I’ve not styled this dress super adventurously today because I’ve just been crafting away in my little studio….okay, conservatory, it’s not really my studio unfortunately! I have so many exciting things planned for my shop at the moment that I can’t tell you all about quite yet, but all will be revealed soon I hope!

Oh just to let you know I can’t do close ups yet of outfits quite yet with this new set up, but the necklace I’m wearing is this bunny one here. And actually I’m all talked out for tonight. Just going to finish up some bits from earlier and then master something new on the piano because I haven’t played in forever and I do kind of miss it. I’ve played the piano since I was about 5 but I massively fell out of love with music during my degree, but my 2012 resolution was to enjoy playing again so we shall see how that goes! Hope you all have a wonderful Saturday whatever you are up to ♥♥♥♥.

xoxo

FOTD: Film Noir

2012-01-27T18:00:00.001Z

Products Used:

MAC Cherry Lipliner
Barry M Lipstick Number 37
Me Me Me Morello Silk 01
MAC Russian Doll Lipgloss
Eve Pearl Liquid Eyeliner (Heart)

Regular readers of my blog will know that I’m not really a fan of the natural look, and although I may be one of only a few strange girls that owns a black lipstick, it doesn’t have to seem too vampire-ish, and in fact when used with a red gloss makes a gorgeous blackberry shade. I’m still getting used to my camera, so you’ll have to excuse the not so great photos are the moment. I do appreciate it’s a great camera but there’s so much to learn it’s bewildering! Thank goodness I have the lovely Leopard Anchor so near to help me! Anyway, just a quick little post to show some love for black lipstick ;). Oh, and I have no idea why my lashes have a weird white gap in the middle….no idea! I guess that’s just me not using the camera properly! haha. Just get frustrated how much better this look works in real life, and I promise I’m not that pale, although, to be honest, it’s not that inaccurate!! But there's a weird red line under the black on my lip and gah, again, I give up! Will get my dummies guide to taking DSLR photos out!

Have tons more outfit and make up posts coming up as that’s kind of what I want to concentrate on at the moment. But until then tell me, do you own a black lipstick? Would you ever be tempted to get one?

xoxo

OOTD: ‘She's as fine as dandelions blowing in the wind’

2012-01-24T21:50:00.005Z

Dress: Dahlia
Earrings: Accessorize
Coat: New Look
Shoes: New Look

This weekend I met up with my lovely chum Kirsty from The Leopard Anchor and as you will be able to tell from her latest post, she very kindly gave me a much needed lesson in photography! I was being a bit of a drama queen last week because my beloved camera broke, but it was only a very old school digital model, so nothing to ride home about, but I’m a bit funny about splashing out on technology because I’m hopeless. Anyhow, thankfully as a family we are all sharing the Canon 600d camera, which I believe is a very popular camera in the blogging world so this comforts me, and thanks to the lovely Kirsty I can now actually take a photo, which is a miracle in itself, so ultimately, blogging can resume! haha.

I cannot be credited for the above photos, Kirsty very kindly took these for me, I mean come on, my OOTDs do not come out this clear! Having said that, she gave me a lot of tips so I’ve been really inspired to do outfit posts again. In the above photos we were struggling big time with the wind! I absolutely adore this little dress from Dahlia. They are without doubt in my top 5 favourite brands, I am flippin in LOVE with every single thing but I sadly don’t have that big a collection as they tend to retail at about £60 a dress. However at the Clothes Show they had tons of dresses for £20 and £10 so I stocked up BIG STYLE!! Therefore expect to see a lot more Dahlia things on here very, very soon, they are not sponsoring me!!!! ;). If you would like this dress for yourself I’ve found it on ASOS and it is reduced to £35 from £70 so get on it if you love it as much as me.

Normally I would team a dress like this with heels but I’m not very stable these days so I have to wear flats all the time. But aren’t Kirsty’s the cutest shoes of all time? If you want to find out where they are from then don’t forget to check her blog out here. Now I can take photos again I am going to get some make up looks and more outfit posts up. I want to do more of these and less reviews for the next few months. Any requests? Lots of love ♥♥♥♥.

xoxo

Giveaway Winner Is…..

2012-01-23T22:17:00.002Z

Good evening lovelies. So at the beginning of the year I wanted to give back big style, so I decided to hold a little giveaway that included a Models Own goody bag, a Jelly Pong Pong goody bag and one of my little hair bows. As I’m not feeling well tonight I changed my blogging rota (a new thing for this year, Miss Organised, moi!) I decided to sit here quietly whilst enjoying Coronation Street (flippin’ love Becky, and can’t believe she is going) and pick the winner.
Before I reveal the winner can I just take a moment to let me tell you how amazing I think you are all. Some of your goals for the new year were so emotional to read, and you are such a wonderful inspiring bunch of people, and I truly hope 2012 is your year. You seriously rock my world with your sheer amazingness.
When I added all the extra entries, and deleted the spam, it came to 285 so without further ado and a cheesy drum roll the winners are….
Winner
Congratulations to the winner number 71…..

Claire at French For Cupcake

Runners Up

Hannah Louise

Too Blush Or Not To Blush

Congratulations to the three winners above! I will be emailing/tweeting you all asap, and if not tonight then tomorrow. Thank you so much again for entering. I hate only picking a few winners, I seriously want to give you all something. Please don’t be sad if you didn’t win, I will do something like this again in the future, perhaps when I launch my website properly so if you didn’t win this time, don’t be too disappointed!
Like I said above, you are all incredible, and I wish you every success and happiness throughout this year ♥♥♥♥.
xoxo

Get Healthy Skin For 2012

2012-01-21T19:41:00.003Z

When thinking about skincare the very first thing that usually comes to mind is something that we put onto our skin, and that the more money we throw on moisturiser, cleanser, serums etc, the better our skin will be. I love everything from LUSH, to Boot’s Botanics, to Origins, Dermalogica, Kiehls, Good Things and a ton of other mish-mash of different priced skin care lines, but at the end of the day, if I’m not eating the right things, my skin starts telling me, and very obviously so! The fact of the matter is that the best of skin care starts from within, at least that is what I have found. What you put into your body on a daily basis has a great impact on the appearance, texture and youthfulness of our body's biggest organ.

So with that being said, which foods are best? Two years ago now I think I posted about my favourite skin care item of all time: The Healthy Skin Diet. I truly, truly believe, (and I know that this may be controversial, so I’m sorry), that no matter how much you spend on skincare and make up you really are what you eat (and drink for that matter!). I stumbled across this book at a local book store back in 2010 and at first I thought this wasn’t going to work at all, and I kind of imagined a life of eating lettuce leaves to get perfect skin, but oh how wrong I was! The Healthy Skin Diet isn’t about calorie counting or anything like that, and I think in some ways the use of the word ‘diet’ is a little confusing. I see it more as a skin detox.

Since I did that initial post a surprising amount of emails asking for more information about it and what it entailed. Well soon after that post I went through a family bereavement, so obviously any ideas or plans soon went out of the window, and then in 2011 I developed an illness of my own, which I still struggle with today, but right now, in light of the new year, I have finally accepted a few different lifestyle decisions and I’m ready to catch up on a lot of things the last few years have left me unable to complete. The Healthy Skin Diet, as author Karen Fischer boasts, ‘is designed to supply your body with the specific building materials to make gorgeous skin […] it’s not something exclusively reserved for the genetically blessed. You can have it too.’

The Healthy Skin Diet helps those suffering with a variety of health complaints including:

Eczema/dermatitis/contact dermatitis
Psoriasis
Rosacea
Dandruff
Acne
Cellulite
Premature ageing and wrinkles
Mood swings and irritability
Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
Poor immunity to colds and flu
Hypoglycaemia (food related)
Poor digestion
Fatigue and sluggishness
Headaches
Dull, sallow complexion
Bags under the eyes
Dark circles under the eyes
Pigmentation

To be honest that list only touches the surface. Because the Healthy Skin Diet is an anti-inflammatory eating programme, it is also ideal for people with sinusitis, hay fever, asthma, arthritis and allergies.
This post is already getting rather long, so over the next few weeks I am going to dedicate posts to ways you can get healthy skin through super foods to recipes actually incorporating them into your diet. However please note that I won’t be actually posting every single little detail from this book. There are a number of reasons for this: a) because there’s no way I can simplify nearly 400 pages into blog posts and b) because it’s not fair to the amazing Karen Fischer because if you are really interested in this programme then you absolutely NEED to get the book.

For anymore information surrounding this post today please go to Karen’s website here. Oh and I should just point out that I am not being sponsored by the Healthy Skin Diet or anything like that, I simply adore this programme and have so, SO much to thank it for!

Do you think about eating and skincare, have you ever tried something like this before? I’d love to hear what you all think ♥♥♥♥.

xoxo

Make Up and Beauty Storage…Again…!

2012-01-20T18:15:00.004Z

I’m turning into a right organised freak lately and that’s so, SO not me I promise! It was only back in September I blogged about my newest system but basically since I have started to organise my shop in my studio, I realised that my old colourful tower system would be perfect for my supplies, and this clear one from Staples is perfect for my make up and beauty stuff. The drawers are pretty much all the same size so it stores everything to perfection. I have nails in the first (not pictured, sorry!), lips, eyeshadow, liners/mascaras, foundation/primers/blushers, false lashes and pigments/glitters. The Hello Kitty box beside it stores everything else I have, and literally everything else, including hair care and all my skin care. I’m not really up for make up collection types things because although it seems like I have a lot, I used to do a bit of freelance and stuff. Well, actually I still sort of do occasionally. I have no excuse for the amount of falsh lashes however, it is deeply embarrassing and I can only say that I’m totally and utterly addicted to them!!

The clear storage system was about £30 and I would highly recommend it to anyone. If you’re looking for some dressing table inspiration, I actually did a post on that just the other day, so feel free to click here to read about that as well.

Can’t believe this post contains so little words, for me that’s very strange! I guess I’ll finish this post with a few rambly make up bits. Well first things first, I cannot wait for IMATS again in February. I was just thinking about this the other day and I think this is my fifth year of going which scared me a little. Blimey! I absolutely love IMATS but it’s so different each year. This year I know a ton of bloggers are going which is very exciting because apart from last year, I had never seen any bloggers at all, and actually the first year I went blogs weren’t really big news. This year I don’t have a shopping list or anything like that. Once you have been several times it is kind of the same things, and there’s nothing wrong with that at all, because the first two times I went I got a LOT so I did my fair share of hauling, haha. I just love going for the make up artistry. I’m actually not a huge fan of everyday make up looks and stuff like that, I love make up art so I can’t wait to see fierce girls and boys with gorgeous painted faces!

Anyway, enough of the rambling! Tell me in the comments how you store things, I’m kind of obsessed right now as you can tell! OH and have you entered my little giveaway yet? If you haven’t, go, go, go because it ends on Sunday. Click here to enter. You could win a lovely Models Own, Jelly Pong Pong goody bags, and something made by my fair hands! Have a wonderful weekend everyone ♥.

xoxo

A/W Trend 2011: The Seventies Hat

2012-01-18T17:32:00.001Z

All three hats, New Look, £9.99

L toR: Gucci A/w11-Image Credit Tommy Hilfiger A/W11- Image Credit Marc Jacobs A/W11- Image Credit

This autumn winter I have been obsessed with the 1970s trend which dominated the 2011 trends this season, but then, doesn’t it always? One key item for this trend is of course the obligatory boho style felt floppy hat. Being the colour magpie that I am, I couldn’t choose what signature colour to rock this look with, so over the last few months I have somehow managed to buy three of them! Opps! I’m wearing my Pat Butcher (RIP #endofanearring and all that) style coat and this is how I usually wear them, but I probably should have wore them with some bell bottoms and waves in my hair. Am I taking it a bit too far there? Probably!

I feel like this a little more sophisticated then my little animal hats which don’t worry my lovelies, I do sport pretty much every single day, I promise you that, it’s just sometimes I feel like releasing my inner 1970s boho-esque-ness. I have seen these hats everywhere from Topshop to ASOs, to New Look and Primark. I simply love them, although be warned, they are a right nuisance if you want to take them off in public because they’re so big, and I’m always worried people will sit on it. Actually, people have sat on it, so I’m worried with good reason!

In other non-hat related talk, I have sort of solved my camera issue because I will be sharing one with the family, but it’s a DSLR and it’s making me cry because I have no blimmin’ idea how to use it. If anyone has any good links to useful websites, online tutorials etc, etc can you please let me know? It’s the Canon 600D, which I have since found out many beauty and fashion bloggers have which is fabulous to hear, so I’m hoping some of you will be able to help a confused girl out! I haven’t really got the funds to buy something new myself, because I am putting a lot of money into a proper website for my shop, so fingers crossed I can get to grips quickly with a DSLR and get blogging again, because I really, really miss it! Actually edited to add that the very gorgeous Leopard Anchor has offered to help me, so feeling much better about it now, but if you do have this camera feel free to add any pointers as well in case others want to know. I can’t be the only one who is rubbish at photography, right?!

Tomorrow I am finally going to start the Healthy Skin Diet with you all, which is YEARS overdue I know! Ooooh and just to let you know my little new year giveaway, with prizes including a very lovely Models Own goody bag, ends this weekend. Click here if you would like to enter. Good luck!

xoxo

‘Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower’

2012-01-12T21:11:00.001Z

Hair Garlands, £8, Shop here

Blimey- what a day! So if you follow my Twitter you will have already suffered my rant but basically, my camera has broken. Bust, kaput! I’m absolutely devastated. I am literally putting every penny into launching my shop big style, so I did not envisage this! So major sigh. Not sure what to do at all. Part of me thinks good business sense would be to invest in a proper DSLR camera, but they are so pricey and I’m rubbish at photography, so we shall see. I think I need think very seriously about the latter thought because it would transform how people could shop and see my items. But yes the £££, they cost a bomb don’t they?

Anyway was going to post photos of me modelling some of my new floral hair garlands but they are on said camera that is bust! So unfortunately you’ll have to put up with my gorgeous model, Betsey, wearing them. They’ve literally just gone onto my Etsy, apart from the last two which I’ll put on in a moment. I’m planning to make them in literally every colour under the rainbow, which goes for the trims as well. What would be your perfect colour combination? Please let me know because I’m trying to draft up some ideas. Oh and yes, yes I know these are technically ‘spring/summer’ accessories, but have you seen the high street at the moment? Yeah, exactly ;).

xoxo

OOTD: XOXO

2012-01-11T19:38:00.002Z

Jumper: Topshop- £36
Leggings: New Look

What’s one thing I always, always do? Okay so there’s a few (and be kind, please!) but does the above serve as a clue? Yes, I always, (probably to the point of irritation, sorry!), use ‘xoxo’ alongside eveeeerything. I picked up on it from my muse Betsey Johnson and since 12, I’ve been obsessively using it. Well then, imagine how happy I was to see this beauty of a jumper appear on Topshop’s website. You know when something is just SO you, that even everyone else suggests you have to get it? That’s exactly what happened with this, so I now think this is kind of my uniform. It’s the perfect jumper for a lazy day and that definitely suited today where I’ve just been making floral garlands in my studio.

So obviously I love this jumper for the slogan alone but it’s super cosy and snuggly. However the fit is a little wacky, but then that’s so true of Topshop sizing nowadays. This is a size 8 and it’s still baggy but that is the general style so that’s fine, but it’s reeeeally baggy even on the arms. Still a bit of classic and one I predict will go on ebay for £££ in the future, so if you want it, get it! Oh and apologies for the no face outfit post but I’m full of a cold and feeling and looking utterly rubbish!

xoxo

White on White

2012-01-10T20:21:00.000Z

White Glitter Hair Bow- £5

I feel like I haven't done much of shop update recently but that's because I am so behind! So this week I have started to work on new collections and most importantly spring and summer. Isn't that so weird? I am the most dis-organised person in the world, so I am finding such forward planning totally alien!

I'm thinking about getting in some more pastel bow shades, but I'd like to ask you, what colour glitter bow is your favourite? This white one verges more into the pastel shades I think, but I'm really curious to hear your opinions. You can check out the whole range here.

xoxo

Most Used Products of 2011

2012-01-09T16:25:00.001Z

Everyone has done a sort of 2011 re-cap of their most loved products and I kind of felt left out. But the thing is, I do a favourites post every month so I feel like you all know what I love from that, but above are some products that I use all.the.time so deserved a little shout out!

Make Up:

LOOK Beauty Powder Puff Lipgloss
MAC Lollipop Lovin’ Lipstick
Dainty Doll Liquid Foundation
Collection 2000 16 Hour Wear concealer
MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural
MAC Alpha Girl Beauty Powder
Topshop Saddle Kohl Eye Pencil
LUSH Whipstick
Vera Wang Princess perfume

Hair:

Happy Hair Days Colour Care Shampoo and Conditioner
Lee Stafford Treatment For Hair That Never Grows Past A Certain Length.

So I think the above are most definitely my most used products of the year, and I actually forgot to mention the Sleek Oh So Special palette because oh my, that was a beaut! If you had to pick, do you have an absolute favourite product(s)?

xoxo

Dressing Table Re-Visited AGAIN!

2012-01-08T16:36:00.001Z

I think I am just obsessed with make up as I am with storage of said obsession. My dressing table is a pivotal part in the way I store my make up, and I will confess to being a bit fickle about the way I display things. However I think I’ve finally come up with a system I really like, so I thought I would take some photos for you.

An extremely old school photo of the actual mirror is here but I’ve just switched a few things around. I adore my sparkly pots, as you can tell, and I had collected so many from India, Turkey etc, that I decided all my brushes didn’t deserve to be crammed in one! I now have one for eyes, face, minis and B brushes get their own deserving sparkles of their own. I then have another pot for combs etc, and one other for my mascara, curlers and eye brow pencil that I use every single day. It makes making-up so much easier now, I can tell you!

So where do you all put on your faces? I want to see, so please let me know. I adore storage type posts :). And actually on a side note I have decided that I miss make up. Now I know that sounds funny coming from me but I miss my artsy, theatrical side. When you’re ill, you tend to revert back to simpler things, and for me that’s a cat eyeliner with a bold lip, and it’s an iconic look and I love it, but I started this blog originally to showcase my make up looks from Livejournal and make up forum challenge days. So after lengthy thought (two seconds, haha), I’m going to concentrate on getting those looks back onto my blog somehow from my old poorly computer, and to do less reviews etc.

Just out of interest, do you all prefer reviews, hauls and such on beauty blogs, or do you actually like to see people using make up to create looks? I’m really curious to know, so please leave your opinions on that as well!

xoxo

Boots Sale Gems

2012-01-06T19:57:00.001Z

I haven’t really spent much time chasing bargains in the annual Christmas sales this year as I couldn’t be bothered! However some girls at work were talking about some incredible gift sets they purchased for a very generous 50% at Boots, and being the beauty junkie I am, I had to question why I was missing out on this one! So off I went to my nearest Boots and of course there was a very bare shelf where the infamous Soap and Glory sets once lived, but to the other I spied this out of this world gorgeous Hello Kitty Liberty fabric beauty set and some very cute Fearne Cotton make up brushes.

I couldn’t be more in love with the Hello Kitty gift set. For one thing the fabric design is simply beautiful, and for £15, and all the little bits included, I was over the moon with my little bargain. Inside you get: bubble bath, body spray, body butter, body scrub, a wash mitt and an eye mask. I never use eye masks, but I’m sure I could find a home for that. I plan to use the container for all my beauty products and I’m setting myself the challenge to make sure my stash doesn’t go any further than that!

So the make up brushes by Fearne Cotton are extremely cute, but controversially, the double-ended thing is a bit rubbish to me. I never know how to store them when they are like this. They would have been so amazing with just a single end, but still, I couldn’t not get this set for a bargainious £8 as the pink handles, and Andy Warhol esque pop art rose print are so gorgeous.

Definitely pop down to Boots and see what gems you can pick up for half price. There were so many other things I wanted but you know, it’s January and we’re all saving and a bit broke, right?! Yep!

PS: Don’t forget to enter my latest giveaway if you haven’t, ends on the 22nd.

xoxo

DIY: How To Glitter Shoes

2012-01-05T20:30:00.002Z

So finally my first Youtube video is up! If you missed my post from the other week here, then you may not know that I’m cautiously venturing into the world of Youtube. It may not last very long as I have realised through this video alone how totally time consuming and difficult it is! However I have loved making it, albeit not overly happy with the results. I only have a simple digital camera so I was having to film on that, and obviously it is not designed for filming on a big scale at all. I am looking into getting a more substantial camera, so we shall see.

Anyway I decided to upload a glitter shoes DIY for my first tutorial. I saw these shoes in New Look just the other day but they were too shiny for me, so I thought I'd turn them into sparkling emerald gems and film the process for you. I adore making glitter shoes and it is so easy to do. Plus, glitter shoes are one of the main trends this A/W11 season and let’s face it, who doesn’t want some Miu Miu glitter booties? So gorgeous. In the video it goes through light to darkness because I was using the glitter for other crafting products in between, but trust me, it doesn’t take all day!

You will need:

Shoes of your choice- I would highly recommend a nice sturdy shoe because if you use a very squishy ballet flat etc the glitter is just going to crack. If you are using a shoe with laces, make sure you remove them, and be careful around the holes.
Mod Podge- You do not have to use mod podge, really any glue will do. I love Mod Podge so I always use it, but anything PVA ish will do just fine. If in doubt, look for something that specifically says glitter if possible.
A bowl- Any will do, but line it with foil or similar. Glitter + glue is messy stuff!
Glitter(s)- Well, of course! I have used a very fine emerald green but actually glitter shoes truly sparkle if you use quite chunky glitter, and don’t be scared to mix lots of glitter shades together, the more the merrier!
2 Paintbrushes- The reason I say two is because you need one to apply the mix and the other for a top coat, but feel free to wash it between each coat like me. Trust me, it’s best to wash your paintbrushes asap anyway!
Masking Tape- You need this for bits of the shoes you don’t want glitter on.
Foil/Paper/Newspaper/Magazine etc. Basically to keep surfaces and the shoe nice and clean.
Sandpaper (optional)- You may not need this at all, it’s just my shoes were so shiny.

Top Tips:

♥ Keep the consistency of the glue and glitter runnier rather than too thick. It needs to glide on to the shoes nice and smoothly.
♥ Like I said the sturdier the shoes the better. If you are using lace ups, remove the laces, and don’t cover over the eye holes. Oh and you don’t need to go out and buy new shoes just for this. Give some old shoes some love!
♥ When painting go in the same direction if possible and use nice and EVEN thin layers. That’s the key with this, it honestly is like painting your nails with a glitter nail polish or something!
♥ Now your shoes and the weather. Well, they could probably stand to get a little wet, but if there is a down pour, or you step in the most almighty of puddles, you might damage your lovely twinkly creation. Therefore maybe treat them like suede or something and don’t wear them if you know it is going to rain. You can get waterproof sealing sprays if you want, but my asthma can’t hack those!
♥ The reason I line the bowl with foil is so that you can just pick it up and put it in the bin, which makes the whole glitter and glue combination much less messy to wash up!
♥ Why not make it really high-end looking by adding studs, a bow, only use glitter in one part etc.
But I think that’s it, I can’t think of anything else to add. I hope you like the tutorial and I’d love to know if you have any requests? I dabble with all the crafts, so I was thinking a candle tutorial next, or embroidery? Let me know in the comments. Now, get the glitz on!

This tutorial is very much inspired by this wonderful explanation here.

xoxo

WIN: A Happy New Year Giveaway and Thank You

2012-01-01T19:38:00.001Z

First of all, happy new year! We are now officially in 2012 and this is my first blog post for the new year. How bizarre! Well anyway here we are indeed, and to kick-start the new year I want to give back to you all from the start. If you have already taken a look at my post from yesterday then you will know that I have so much to thank you all for. Therefore I want to give back big style with a little giveaway for you all. Before I continue I would like to address immediately that I purchased every single item in the photo above with my own money and it is not sponsored etc etc etttttttttc ;). The prizes are actually made up from two goody bags that I got from the Clothes Show this year for you. You will win one Jelly Pong Pong goody bag, and a Models Own goody bag. On top of that you will also win one of my glitter hair bows in any colour you would like, but if you win I will contact you. Two runners up will also win a glitter bow of their choice. So prizes work out as:

1st Prize Winner:

* Models Own Goody Bag worth over £50:

Shape if Buff It
Tangerine Lipgloss
Violet Cream Lipgloss
Ice Blue Lipgloss
Coral Lipstick
Mash Up Mauve Eyeshadow
Pretty Baby Eyeshadow
Golden Girl Eye Pencil
Neon Peach Powder Eyeshadow
Graphite Grey Powder Eyeshadow
Blooboo Nail Polish

* Jelly Pong Pong Goody Bar (not sure the RRP value exactly):

Lip Cushion
Irish Cream Pavlova Lip Frosting
Brazilian Sun Puff Bronzer

* Glitter Bow in any colour you want.

2 x Runner Up Prize:

One glitter bow each in any colour you want.

How to enter:

♥ All you need to do is leave a comment below (only to this post) letting me know your hopes for 2012/resolutions etc. It can be anything from ‘I will drink more water’ to any aspirations you have for the new year. Alongside your hopes for 2012 etc please let me know how you would like to be contacted should you win. For example, email address, Twitter name etc.

♥ For an additional 5 entries please do the following, but let me know which ones you follow:

Follow me on Twitter here.
Follow my shop on Twitter here.
Follow my shop on Facebook here.
Subscribe to my Youtube channel here.

♥ For an additional 5 entries on top of that you can Tweet about the giveaway. If you do this, let me know, just mention the link and @dreamsglitterxo in the tweet so it comes to me and I can add your additional entries on.

♥ Giveaway ends 22/01/12 midnight GMT.

Rules:

♥ You MUST be a follower of my blog, but new and old readers are all welcome, just so long as you follow me.

♥ Anyone can enter, so this is an International giveaway. Just make sure you can receive parcels from the UK and you’re in!

♥ If you’re under 18 make sure you get parental permission because I will need your address to send you the lovely prize.

♥ If the winner does not respond within 48 hours I will pick someone else.

♥ Winners will be drawn using Random.org.

♥ If you have any questions about the giveaway please email me or tweet me, just don’t leave any questions in the comments because it is for the entries alone.

xoxo

Happy New Year

2011-12-31T22:35:00.001Z

Image Credit

So 2011 has come to an end, and I always seem to repeat myself on here, to the point where this photo is more or less identical to the one I had last year! But I love the meaning behind it because you do feel sometimes that with a new comes a fresh start, and you can, I guess ‘wash’ away certain things and start afresh. I’m really, really not one with words; I simply cannot express what I want to say eloquently enough. However it’s strange because personally it’s not been the best year for me at all, and yet with that there is a positive because I have been feeling ill for so long, that it is kind of a blessing in itself to have a ‘name’ for it, if that makes sense? So, I guess what I have learnt this year, in particular, is that life doesn't come with a silver lining, but you can get through the storms with love and positivity. I have had so much of both these things through my blog, and I never ever thought those things could actually be generated from somewhere I like to escape to, to blog about my love for beauty and fashion!

And speaking of my blog, what a year it has been for it! I was so fortunate to go to the LOOK show back in February which I felt so privileged to go to, and met so, so many gorgeous, talented and wonderful bloggers. Since then I haven’t been up to going to any events, but earlier this year I was also invited to be apart of the Clothes Show Live which even though I was terrified I wouldn’t get through it, I did, and from there I had the absolutely incredible opportunity to have my little bow worn on the X Factor final, which still feels like another world to be honest. And now I have just looked at my GFC and I have nearly 900 blog followers, I mean just wow. I cannot believe it! So as I said before, you get through the rough patches with love and positivity and that is something I have always felt so much from all of you. Thank you to every single one of you who has read my blog, written a comment, sent me an email, sent me a tweet and everything that you do. I know, and hate, that I have slacked so badly on my blog this year but today I treated myself to a diary for the first time in years, so after my big learning curve year, I know so much more about how I need to organise my time and what I do, and blogging is so therapeutic for me. So after all that rambling, THANK YOU! I wish every single one of you a wonderful 2012. Lots and lots of love to all of you, ♥♥♥♥

xoxo

Favourites: December 2011

2011-12-31T20:51:00.000Z

I'm actually writing this favourites post in 2012 which is kind of silly, but I forgot to do it before! I have also just noticed that I didn’t even have a favourites post for November. I’m truly, truly slacking here people! Anyway, here’s what lovelies I have found in December. Oh and apologies for the naff photos. I was feeling a bit lazy and used my dressing table area to take them, which has terrible lighting, so sorry!

1. Harajuku Lovers G Christmas Perfume

I got this perfume for Christmas and I’m so in love with it. I got it as a little treat for myself, which I know is sad, but I spotted it late on Christmas Eve and it was so festive I had to put it under the tree! This scent is different to the original G perfume which I reviewed here in that it has more vanilla in and the bottom notes are more prominent. Because this is a limited edition scent I’m trying to use it very sparingly, but it’s just so beautiful I want to use it every single day! Here’s a little scent information from Sephora, and yes once I use it all up, it will be a cute Christmas decoration!

Jingle all the way with Jingle G! A warm, cozy fragrance, this fruity-oriental scent is perfect for nuzzling underneath the mistletoe.
Decked out in a festive red and white suit, Jingle G has a built-in hook in her cap that enables her to become a holiday tree ornament. With a bright red hair bow and gold belt buckle to hold up her three-button suit, Jingle G is ready to celebrate the holiday dressed in festive style.
Notes:
White Star Fruit, Gardenia, Tangerine, Honeysuckle, Orange Blossom, Jasmine, Vanilla, Cedarwood, Lace Benzion Tears.
Style:
Warm. Cozy. Festive.

2. Vera Wang Princess Perfume

Yes, two fragrance favourites in a month! And even though I adore the little Harajuku perfumes if I was forced to pick just one fragrance to wear forever it would be this one. It really is ‘my scent’ and includes a gorgeous mixture of waterlily, apple, mandarin meringue, and golden apricot skin, dark chocolate, amber, musk, and vanilla. So stay away from this if you don’t like sweet scents, but if you like vanilla, you need this in your life. It smells so delicious, and I absolutely adore it. The bottle is also beautiful, so big win all around!

3. Babyliss Pro Hot Pink Wide Porcelain Rebel Conical Wand Curling Tong

I used to have an old school curling tong which were about £10 from Superdrug, not very good and for some stupid reason I never bothered looking for anything else. Well, when they spectacularly broke the other day I asked for this conical wand from Babyliss. It’s the wide barrel version (it is available in slim) and it’s amazing! Why on earth didn’t I get a conical wand ages ago? It makes curling your hair so fast, and so easy. It literally takes me under 10 minutes to style my whole head, which I love. I like to curl my whole head and then brush them out to give proper full on 1950s Hollywood waves. You can get the exact wand above here.

4. MAC Chatterbox Lipstick

Not much to say about this one, but everyone has been talking about it recently, and I remembered what a gorgeous shade it is. It’s the perfect hot pink that isn’t too bright or OTT but just quietly, wonderfully pink. Love it.

5. Models Own Juicy Jules Nail Polish

When I was at the Clothes Show I asked you all which nail polishes I had to own as they were doing a 3 for £10 and get a goody bag deal (which incidentally, I have one up for grabs by clicking here) and tons of you said to get this one, and I’m not surprised because it’s pure glittery goodness!

6. Eylure Nadine from Girls Aloud Party Lashes

I adore the Girls Aloud Eylure lashes and even though they are not really going anymore you can still seem to get them everywhere. The above lashes are from the party range and yes they are a little bling, bling but perfect for Christmas and New Year’s eve.

7. Lee Stafford Dry Shampoo

I have semi dark hair, so like most people can find some dry shampoos leave a horrible grey-ish tinge. This one from Lee Stafford is fabulous. It has the gorgeous scent that is in everything Lee Stafford does and gives hair so much volume too.

8. Steam Cream Facial Moisturiser

I’ve literally just done a review for this, so to avoid sounding like a repetitive bore, check out my review here to see why I love it so much.

9. Origins A Perfect World

I used to think I didn’t need a serum, but I have been using this stuff for years and years now and it’s one of my holy grail products. I couldn’t love it more. Maybe I should properly review it? I’m not sure why I haven’t before actually. I’ll add it to my list and review it because I don’t want to clog this favourites post up.

10. Patterned Tights

Oh my goodness I adore tights. In fact I think that’s why I adore autumn and winter so much. Tights, tights, tights. I’m really into anything with patterns along with block colours. The above are some New Look suspender tights with hearts at the back. Most people I know things they look slutty but really? I don’t think so, what do you think?

And that’s it, my last favourites for 2011. Let me know any favourites you’ve had lately, or for the whole of 2011. But most importantly don’t forget to enter my thank you giveaway for the new year here.

xoxo

Hai, Youtube!

2011-12-28T16:57:00.001Z

I hope you’re all having a lovely few restful days after Christmas, or if you have already gone back to work, that it is going okay. Today I am posting a quick post and a video, which I never thought I would do! However for years now I have wanted to do videos in some ways. I started watching beauty videos back in 2005/6 with the lovely Amy04 and was captivated by the beauty community, however as it developed, I felt like I had little to offer really. Over the years Youtube the community has grown considerably so, and there are some gurus that I just think are incredible. There is of course a kind of backlash againist some types of beauty vlogging, which I am sure you are all aware of, so I just never bothered to jump on that bandwagon.

With the above being said, I still wanted to make videos, and last year I had the idea to start doing some crafting videos, so I created a new Youtube channel as the one I had from many years ago has the most embarrassing screename ever! Like ever, ever, I can assure you, haha. So now I will be doing sporadic videos all to do with fashion DIY, customising and stuff like that. It will be intergrated into my blog, but I just didn’t want to do this with photos and words like most because I am truly terrible and explaining myself, so it is easier if you just watch what I do. I’ll be doing everything from how to get such and such a look from the catwalk, how to make little vintage candles, jewellery…just everything really except for hair, because you know, that’s kind of my thing!

So the whole Youtube thing is a totally new world to me, but if you click here then I believe you can subscribe to me, which would be fabulous, of course! I’m not sure what video to make first, jewellery, something catwalk-y? What do you think? Please leave me some thoughts below.

xoxo

REVIEW: Steam Cream Face Moisturiser ‘Nocturne’

2011-12-26T22:15:00.001Z

If you’ve followed my blog for a few years now you will be familiar with this product called Steam Cream. Now, although a relatively new product to most, this facial moisturiser has had a very interesting life. Steam Cream is actually the sister company of LUSH cosmetics, but the product actually used to be a B Never Too Busy To Be Beautiful product called Sweet Asa. I used to try it quite a bit whilst working there, but I have to be honest, it never really grabbed my attention in its little glass jar, amongst all the gorgeous bejewelled sparkly pots. Now, however, I’m all over the stuff, and isn’t that just always the way? The product is essentially the same, however it now doesn’t have honey, which is why it can now be classed as a vegan product.

Fast forward quite a few years and since re-launching itself as Steam Cream in fabulous pots which are simply a work of art, it has the whole beauty business and magazines captivated and it’s partly due to the way it works:

STEAMCREAM represents the latest concept in skincare. Using a revolutionary steam-infused manufacturing process, STEAMCREAM provides a long-lasting, intensive and effective form of skincare that can be used on face, body and hands.
STEAMCREAM have pioneered the use of a steam technique to create this unique, gentle and loosely-bound emulsion. This looseness allows each ingredient – including a moisturising and soothing oatmeal infusion, orange flower water and healing lavender oil – to breakdown and penetrate areas of the skin that other creams find hard to reach.
Packaged in a compact, flush-lid aluminium tin featuring unique and collectable designs, STEAMCREAM is a perfect on-the-go product – convenient to slip into your bag, take to work, to school, on holidays or to the gym. And it’s hand luggage friendly at just 75g!

The power and energy produced by bubbling steam melts and fuses the ingredients together at a speed that defies most traditional cream-making methods.
The force and intensity allow the ingredients to emulsify instantly, producing this beautifully textured light and glossy cream.
The emulsion is held together very loosely and gently, allowing the cream to break down immediately on contact with the skin for maximum benefit.

Ingredients: Oatmeal Infusion (Avena sativa), Orange Flower Water (Citrus Aurantium amara, Aqua), Almond Oil (Prunus dulcis), Cocoa Butter (Theobroma cacao), Glycerine, Stearic Acid, Triethanolamine, Organic Jojoba Oil (Simmondsia chinensis), Lavender Oil (Lavandula augustifolia), Chamomile Blue Oil (Chamomilla recutita), Orange Blossom Absolute (Citrus Aurantium dulcis), Rose Absolute (Rosa damascena), Neroli Oil (Citrus Aurantium amara), Cetyl Stearyl Alcohol, *Coumarin, *Geraniol, *Citronellol, * Limonene, *Linalool, Perfume, Methylparaben, Propylparaben. *Occurs naturally in essential oils

So for the most part, you'll find that with your ordinary face moisturiser, the emulsifying process is what holds the ingredients tightly together and it can also stop creams breaking down. As a result, the ingredients struggle to be fully absorbed by the skin and therefore just 'sits' on the skin, unable to really benefit deep down. With Steam Cream, the steaming process creates a gentle and loose emulsion, allowing each ingredient to break down and be fully absorbed. Plus just like LUSH the ingredients list includes gorgeous natural stuff like gentle oats to soothe dry skin, almond oil for their high levels of Vitamin E, glycerine to help absorb the moisture and lavender oil to soothe redness.

But is it actually any good? Well, for my skin, it’s love. This stuff isn’t just all about gimmicks and it does actually work. It’s a one product suits all kind of thing, but with that being said, I don’t think it is going to be for everyone. I have combination/sensitive/dry/dehydrated skin and it is perfect. It doesn’t make me break out, it gets rid of any dry patches, evens out my skin tone and redness and makes your skin so kissably soft. I don’t personally think it would work for very oily skins, as I know for a fact cocoa butter can send some skin types into a frenzy!

So overall this is a class act moisturiser that really does moisturise rather than sit on your skin and do very little. The covetable tins are of course a massive incentive to buy in themseleves and you’d definitely wouldn’t want to throw it away. As a muso I had to get this one called ‘Nocturne’, it’s just so beautiful! For 75g at £10.50 it could seem a teeny bit expensive, but you can also use it on your whole body. My exact tin can be purchased here.

I hope you enjoyed the review, and I would love to know if any of you have tried this one out?

xoxo

Merry Christmas Everyone…

2011-12-25T19:11:00.001Z

Merry Christmas everyone! I hope you are all having a wonderful day. I’m feeling a little run down at the moment so I thought I would post a few photos of my day so far, to keep me awake! haha. Lots of love xoxo

‘Hang a shining star upon the highest bough and have yourself a merry little Christmas now…’

2011-12-24T22:27:00.001Z

So it’s Christmas Eve! I feel like Christmas has come so early this year, I don’t know where 2011 has gone and that kind of scares me. Well, actually I’ve said that every year since 2008 when I started my blog so I’m beginning to sound like a broken record! Anyway I always like to post on Christmas Eve and show you some photos of our decorations and what not. I was actually at work all of today so I feel a little bleary eyed tonight but I veeery much enjoyed slumping on the sofa with classic Christmas shows on TV. I was delighted to see Morecambe and Wise on because even though I obviously wasn’t around during the real Morecambe and Wise mania (for want of a better phrase!) my family are huge fans so I have grown up watching it. The Andre Previn sketch is the funniest thing ever, especially if you’re a muso like me because sometimes you grow up with other musos taking it all so blimmin’ seriously and this just sums it all up so amazingly! Seriously, give yourself 13 minutes and watch this epic clip. Have a wonderful Christmas tomorrow lovelies.

xoxo

Dainty Doll Make Up Foundation and Concealer Swatches

2011-12-18T19:50:00.001Z

Top Row: Dainty Doll Concealer Click Pen It’s a Kind of Magic

The make up magic wand we've all been waiting for! Dainty Doll's easy to use concealer pen is perfect for brightening dark circles and highlighting skin on the forehead, nose and cheeks. Make dark circles disappear in just a click. You can also use from your forehead to the tip of the nose, either side of your nose and the chin to brighten.Brush tipped pen for easy application exactly where you need it. With shea butter to help condition and protect skin and vitamins A and E rich in antioxidants.

001 Very light
002 Light
003 Medium
004 Green

Second Row: Dainty Doll Hot Pour Abracadabra

Hide away imperfections whilst helping them with Dainty Doll's full coverage concealer with anti inflammatory ingredients. A natural creamy concealer for the Dainty Doll that wants a little extra. It camouflages blemishes, dark circles and imperfections in one go. With shea butter to help condition and protect, vitamin E rich in antioxidants and anti inflammatory properties that calm down blemishes as well as covering them. Make up is make believe.

001 Very light
002 Light
003 Medium
004 Dark

Final Row: Dainty Doll Liquid Foundation Now That I’ve Found

Satin finish liquid foundation that blends easily to leave skin smooth and flawless looking. Provides long lasting, buildable coverage to suit any Dainty Dolls needs. Paraben free with naturally derived ingredients and soft focus particles for a luminous look that helps visibly reduce fine lines and wrinkles. Provides essential SPF 15 sun protection.

001 Very Light
002 Light
003 Medium
004 Dark

Without a doubt some of my most popular posts, and things I get emailed about a lot, is anything to do with pale skin. After years of never finding any foundation to match my complexion I had kind of given up hope, but thanks to the gorgeous Nicola Roberts, of Girls Aloud fame, I can now actually join in on the foundation fun! I’ve already shared my thoughts on the Dainty Doll foundation, which can be found here and also the concealer pen review, which is here. However, the above is a swatch of every single concealer and foundation except for the loose powder foundations. This is only because they were just too hard to swatch in store and I had someone watching over me! I will be doing a review of the palest foundation in this range this week, to stay tuned for that if it interests you.

I apologise the swatches are a bit sketchy, but like I said, there was a mini crowd around the stand, and I had to wait until I left Boots to take the photo, and was so desperate not to smudge them! I was so impressed with the whole range, it really is such a lovely collection, but the one only criticism is the price. I found so many other things I liked, but with if you buy a foundation and concealer you’re looking at a bill over £30 so that’s the only negative.

Anyway I hope you all find the swatches useful because it has been requested so often. For reference, I am paler than MAC NW15.

You can shop online for Dainty Doll in selected stores, online, and also from Look Fantastic.

xoxo

REVIEW: Enrapture Amplify Jumbo Waver

2011-12-17T19:15:00.001Z

So sometime before my birthday I expressed on Twitter that I was in need of a new hair styling tool for waves, and so many of you said I should try Enrapture. Well funnily enough, not long after my birthday, I was contacted by Enrapture themselves asking if I would like to try one of their products. Such fantastic timing, and I was thrilled to finally put the much talked about brand to the test. I picked out the Amplify Jumbo Waver. I have always wanted to try a jumbo waver, but I have tried a few cheap ones and ended up with crimped hair, which was absolutely not the look I was going for! For the record, I like crimped hair, but not from a waver!

I was trying to achieve the Bohemian look (found a handy little video above if you want to give it a go!) because I’m really into that whole 70s look this season, hence the hat! What surprised me is just how many different looks you can get from one product, especially a waver like this because I honestly thought it was a one-look-type-product, but oh how wrong I was! You see although I make hair things, I’m actually got totally ofay with hair styling.

Little facts about the waver:

TITANIUM PLATE TECHNOLOGY

Super fast heat up
High constant heat
Instant heat recovery from wave to wave
Easily styles even the thickest hair
Polished titanium for snag free shiny waves

AMPLIFIED WAVES

Rounded jumbo 25mm barrels to create big, deep ‘S’ waves
Create volumising texture for short and long styles
Instant and long lasting results

FAST EASY STYLING

Three jumbo barrels to style large sections of hair fast
Variable heat settings for all hair types

EXTRAS

Easy grip sprung marcel handle
Handle locking ring for storage
Easy to manoeuvre three metre swivel cord
Cool tips for two handed control
Packaged in a beautiful gift box

But in a nutshell here is what I think:

PROS:

The fantastic literally jumbo barrels are absolutely perfect for gorgeous big waves and I would absolutely agree with the above. For me, this makes the product.
I love the variable heat settings because I guess by messing about with the heat creates different looks, and it means if you’re cautious about using heated products on your hair, you can adjust it accordingly.
The titanium plates definitely makes sure the hair doesn’t get snagged or tangled, and actually I don’t think my hair got caught once which is a bit of a miracle with hair my length!
I know it’s not about the packaging but it really does come in the most luxurious box and I adore the heat protective pouch and little style guide.

CONS:

I found it really, reeeally heavy which is only a con because if you’re holding it for a few seconds, it can just seem to take a long time. Then again, my hair is really long, so it would do! Having said that, I am actually glad they are this big because that’s what creates the gorgeous waves.
You have to be very, very careful not to burn your neck with these things because they are so big.
There was something about the handle I didn’t like too much, but I don’t think it will bother anyone else, I’m just very heavy handed!!!

Overall I love these wavers and they are without doubt the best I have ever tried, but then again, I have only tried little cheap ones. If you want gorgeous beachy, bohemian waves then this might be your dream styling product. So yes whilst part of me felt they were quite heavy and too big, it really is this that makes them so perfect to achieve that look. They are about £74 which at first I thought was really pricey, but actually they are twice the size of say Babyliss which is £30 odd, so I guess it makes sense then!

So I’m intrigued to know what wavers you have used and like? To those who have Enrapture, is this the styler you meant? For more information click here.

xoxo

REVIEW: Soap & Glory Lid Stuff Eyeshadow Palette in ‘What’s Nude’

2011-12-16T18:27:00.001Z

Products Used:

Eyes:

Soap & Glory Lid Stuff Eyeshadow Palette in ‘What’s Nude’: Vanilla (highlight and inner corners), Pink T (lid and to blend out), Mud Honey (Midlength to outer lid) and Aubersheen (Crease and Outer corner).
MAC Blacktrack Fluidline
Eve Pearl ‘Black Pearl’ Liquid Eyeliner
Clinique High Impact Mascara
Jelly Pong Pong False Eyelashes

Face:

Dainty Doll liquid foundation
MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural
MAC Heatherette Beauty Powder in Alpha Girl

Lips:

MAC Viva Glam Gaga 2 Lipstick
MAC Prrr Lipgloss

First off I’ve lost my lash glue, so I literally put these lashes on with the hope the original stickiness will stay, so that’s why they are a little odd looking. And I know, a lash junkie loses her lash glue, it’s not great! Anyway this a look I have been meaning to get on here in forever but it has just been completely manic lately. So a little while ago now I was contacted by Soap & Glory to see if I wanted to try something from their new make up range. As a huge fan of Soap & Glory fan already, I was really excited to try their make up line.

I was sent this palette called ‘What’s Nude’ which is a gorgeous quartet of very neutral colours. Obviously the 4 colours are absolutely perfect for my colouring and although you could do so, so many looks with just this little palette, I went with a very, very neutral and safe natural every day look, as I know people are a big fan of that. To be honest, I do rock this kind of look most days now, but part of me wanted to use the darker days and smoke it out more! Having said that, the above look literally took 5 minutes, if that, and I spent more time looking for my lash glue, which of course was a hopeless task!

Now although I will confess to owning a lot of MAC eye shadows I honestly, honestly couldn’t care less where I get eye shadow from. As long as it is pigmented and looks pretty, I’ll buy it! I wasn’t sure what to expect of the Soap & Glory eye shadows but wow I LOVE them. And I really do mean that. Like other beauty bloggers I do get contacted with things to try but I only ever pick things that really interest me. The reason I like this palette so much is that the shadows are very pigmented and very soft and creamy. The shade ‘Vanilla’ is literally a dupe for MAC’s own shade called, ‘Vanilla’, so I am absolutely head over heels in love with this one, as it’s so matte and creamy I can use it under my eyes too which saves concealer. The next colour ‘Pink T’ is my least favourite because it swatches okay but doesn’t come out very well when you actually apply it. Then ‘Mudhoney’ and ‘Aubersheen’ are very similar, but I’m loving the iridescent in ‘Aubersheen’, it makes neutral eyes a little more interesting! And you know what, this is now my new go-to eye shadow quad, and I’m starting to think more and more why I got the Urban Decay Naked Palette now…

The palette is priced at £10 and you can get it from larger Boots or online here, and here is the link to the Soap & Glory page where you can read some more reviews. Is £10 a little pricey for a high street brand? Well compared to MAC and Urban Decay the quality is pretty much exactly the same, and YES to the back quote about not including a cheap sponge applicator. HAD to be said!

I hope you’ve enjoyed this little Friday face of the day. I hope you have a lovely weekend.

xoxo

Clothes Show: Make Up Haul

2011-12-14T21:07:00.001Z

So I’ve already done a few posts on the Clothes Show, but I haven’t actually shown you anything I purchased. Well, normally as you know I steer away from haul posts, but I thought I would do a ‘haul’ type post for this because I don’t think some people are aware just how many amazing beauty bargains can be found here. And when I mean bargains I mean bargains, and if you take one glance at the heaving bustle of people walking around you will notice one thing in particular: goody bags!

You cannot go to the Clothes Show and NOT get a goody bag, to be honest. Jelly Pong Pong have one of the best deals where if you spend £5 you get tons and tons of beautiful things which must be worth at least £50. In the first photo you can see you get everything from false eyelashes, mascara, eyeshadow palettes, soap and more. I don’t actually know much about Jelly Pong Pong as a brand, but I imagine a lot of their products cost a lot more than £5 so this is most definitely one goody bag I couldn’t leave without.

The next incredible bargain to be had was Illamasqua. Now what self confessed beauty girl doesn’t love Illamasqua? With breath-taking visuals and an incredible story behind the brand I was delighted to see a deal for 3 for £15 on any pigment, lipgloss or blusher. Well, it was something along the lines of that. Unfortunately they only had a selected range there so not every single shade, and none of their face products like foundation etc. I picked up two pigments and a lipgloss and they are simply stunning.

The next incredible goody bag deal to be found is at Models Own where by spending £10 on any 3 products you got a goody bag worth £85 for free. Yes you heard that right, amazing! I asked on Twitter for all of your recommendations and picked up 6 gorgeous polishes, although I’ve only included 3 in this photo. So yes, I got two goody bags, and you’ll have to stay tuned to my blog to find out where the other one is ;).

Finally I picked up some lashes at Eylure, because you know me, lash junkie that I am! I got some gorgeous vintage 50s style, and also some stunning Twiggy esque ones. I then got tempted by the beautiful Me Me Me lipsticks with their exquisite packaging and finally, fiiinally yes, I got some lip tattoos, to you know, wear around the house and stuff ;).

And that’s pretty much it! It looks awful but please bear in mind I was there for a week, so I had a lot of time to think about my purchases. I would highly recommend going to the Clothes Show to pick up these bargain deals. Did anyone go this year?

xoxo

The Bow That’s Got The X Factor…

2011-12-12T20:37:00.001Z

Image Credit

Okay so if you follow me on Twitter then I bet you know what I’m going to blog about, so apologies for you guys ;). If you haven’t the foggiest what I am on about, then in a nutshell, one of my hair bows made their way onto the gorgeous locks of Perrie from X Factor’s Little Mix, who so happened to win the whole programme last night. I knew there was a possibility of this happening, but after watching with anticipation on Saturday and not seeing anything in their hair at all, I kind of thought well at least they have them, and that is completely amazing in itself. Honestly, I was made up by the thought of them just owning one of my bows. Well come Sunday, as like many across the country I tuned in and I could honestly not believe what I was watching when out comes my bow. In fact honestly the whole thing seems like a dream, I’m in shock! I cannot thank the X Factor Style team enough and I honestly can’t thank all of you enough who have always supported me and my little shop.

The good and bad news is that I have almost completely sold out, but more WILL be up this week I absolutely promise you that. Click here to buy the real deal, but every colour of the rainbow will be up very, very soon.

Again I cannot thank you all enough. I’m living in a dream world, I really am! ♥

xoxo

More Fun At The Clothes Show 2011

2011-12-10T18:24:00.001Z

So I had so many photos but I didn’t want to completely spam my blog with hundreds of them, and indeed too much about it in general, but yes I am back from the show now but I had the most amazing week. I am so thankful to the Clothes Show for inviting me to be apart of it all this year, and for me as a normal girl who just crafts in her spare time, it’s incredible to think ‘wow, could I actually make this a real job?’. After many things that have happened this year I am really starting to think this could be possible.

I had the fortune of meeting so many amazing customers, bloggers and just other very inspiring people and I am so, so thankful to you all. Thank you so much for shopping my little venture since I first started my blog, and just thank you for all the support full stop. I’m actually going to invest the majority of the earnings into making my shop a proper business rather than a little thing on the side. I hope to have nearly everything up on my store that was at the show, however a lot of the things I made were very limited edition. The good news is that I hope to be back next year, and better, much, much better! So if you missed me this year, I hope to see you in 2012!

Special thank you to my gorgeous neighbours Mollie and Loela, Maria Allen, Tea and Scandal, Regal Rose, the lovely Jamie Stevens, every lovely blogger and customer, the Clothes Show Live itself, the Holiday Inn Express for a lovely stay, and the lovely food at the Little Owl pub. So many more people to thank, but it deserves a whole post of its own I think!!!

Stay tuned to my little giveaway that I will hopefully get up tomorrow, and please click here to visit my shop for your chance to see some new things!

xoxo

My Weekend At The Clothes Show

2011-12-03T21:28:00.001Z

Hello my lovelies! You’ve probably noticed I’ve been a bit slack lately on my blog, but you may also know that the reason for this is because I am here with my little shop at the Clothes Show this year. You can come find me at stand B97 in the Chic Boutique area. I have already met so many of you and for me it’s the highlight of the whole thing because I can never normally make events and stuff, so this is like a mini meet up! I’m also obviously here to promote my brand and I’m so honoured that I was asked to be apart of such a huge event like the Clothes Show. I do feel very much like a little fish in a big pond, because I’m literally just one girl who likes to make accessories, not a proper fully fledged brand! Having said that I’ve been overwhelmed by the response and it’s really made me think of developing it more.

A lot of the things are one-offs for the show, however I am going to try my best to get as much of the things on my website after the show as I have saved some for those that cannot make the show.

xoxo

Birthday Girl!

2011-11-27T23:25:00.001Z

Just a super quick post because if I didn’t post today it would be the first time ever I haven’t updated my blog on my birthday, and you know, I don’t like to break these traditions! Unfortunately not the best birthday because I had work and then was meant to go out for a meal but when I got there I felt so ill I had to come home so yeah, one to remember! Anyway this is what I wore part one, which is just a gorgeous black AX Paris black jumper with the cutest fuzzy bear on. And yes, it’s EXACTLY the same as one Topshop did and I’m so glad I didn’t get that one now because I saved myself a lot of £££. I just teamed it with my beloved velvet leggings which I am living in right now. Later on I wore the lace Topshop one from the OOTD here but that was short lived and I’m back in my infamous Topshop Panda PJs now, haha, oh well!

I did get so many lovely things though and I am so, SO grateful for all the lovely messages you have sent me. I wish I could respond to each one but I need some sleep now, but I honestly can’t thank you enough for all the love and support you give me. I love you all big time <3.

xoxo

OOTD: ‘When she was just a girl, she expected the world…’

2011-11-18T21:21:00.001Z

Dress: Topshop
Tights: New Look
Earrings: Accessorize
Bracelet: Miss Selfridge

So I managed to get an outfit post up, I know it’s been a long time! I’ve actually had this dress for a while now, as I got it when I was in Liverpool last month. The Liverpool Topshop is probably one of the best in the country, so I had a little look online and used that incredible invention known as ‘check store’ (thank you, thank you Topshop!) to see if my favourites were there before I went, and I’m not going to lie, I did make a little wish list! This was top of my list along with that black velvet dress but I picked this one over it. My Granny kindly gave me the money for it because she has come to love Topshop, and wanted me to get a dress from there she could remember me in which is so sweet of her!

I paired it with thick black tights and some cameo jewellery, because you know how much I love my cameo accessories! I apologise the photos are a bit grainy, you know what this time of year is like for photos! Anyway I love outfit posts so where possible I will do another one. I love this dress so much, although I’m not going to lie, I do think £50 is too much. Very sneaky what Topshop have done there over the last year.

Hope you enjoyed this little outfit post, have a lovely weekend!

xoxo

Clothes Show Live Preview & Update

2011-11-16T16:55:00.000Z

Good morning/afternoon/evening you lovely lot. I am so sorry I have been so MIA lately. This post is going to serve as a mini update post. but please may I stress that straight away that I am not quitting blogging. I had a few emails asking if I was fed up of blogging because as you know normally I try and post every few days but NO, absolutely not! I love blogging just as much as when I first started three years ago, it’s literally a timing thing which you’ll hear about now!

♥ Okay so firstly I am still unfortunately quite ill. I talked about it fairly openly in this update from the summer and I don’t think I quite anticipated that it’s going to be quite a long road to recovery. In many ways this has limited my blogging over the last few months because my energy levels are non-existent. Having said that, I don’t want to really ‘talk’ about it, if that makes sense, because the more you think about these things the worse you feel, and sometimes you just have to think positive and get on with it, which is what I am choosing to do!

♥ Secondly I have been absent from blogging because I have been beavering away making lovely things for the Clothes Show Live this year, and I am so, so excited! My website is I know pathetically under stocked right now, don’t worry I am aware, but that’s because I am just having to make so much to take with me. I will be debuting a whole ton of new things, like some of the above and so, so much more. I don’t think I am going to give anymore away because I want for you to see for yourselves! If you’re in the Birmingham area then you need to get yourself down there, because I want to meet you, yes you. If you can’t make it don’t worry I will document everything and you will be able, where possible, to shop a lot of the things I have for offer, however many are Clothes Show Live exclusives.

♥ That’s pretty much everything in a nutshell. I can’t honestly see myself back to blogging properly until after the show in early December, but I will of course be tweeting like a mad woman as usual on my Twitter, so feel free to follow! Thank you all again so, so much for your kindness and patience as usual. You all rock my world, I would like to give you all a lovely virtual hug right now…*squish*. Tell me your news below, should you wish ;).

PS: To get yourself some tickets for the Clothes Show click here, you still have some time left!

xoxo

TAG: What’s In Your Bathroom/Shower?

2011-11-09T21:53:00.001Z

I saw this post flying around on Youtube a little while ago, and it probably works better in video form, but I thought I would post it in blog form anyway. Before we begin please excuse the awful photos: the lighting in my bathroom is atrocious! I try to put everything in my bathroom I use that are kind of standard like shampoo, conditioner, cleanser, exfoliator, shower gel etc etc. I try and only have one thing on the go at a time, expect shower gel, and I have been really good lately at completely cutting down my beauty stash. So this is pretty much everything apart from my skincare and other haircare which I think is fairly good really, or is it still ridiculous? haha. Details of what I’m currently using are below!

Shampoo and Conditioner

Happy Hair Days Colour Care Shampoo and Conditioner- Has the scent of marshmallows and coconut and has no nasties or SLS in and is pure hair love. I never, ever want to be parted from this stuff!
Daniel Galvin Jnr Hangover Hair Shampoo- I use this as a little detox once in a while. Also has no SLS and nasties. My hair adores natural haircare.
Lee Stafford Hair Growth Treatment- LOVE this stuff! If you find your hair doesn’t grow past a certain length then you need to try this. Whilst my hair may not be quite Rapunzel length, it’s certainly grown a considerable amount. Let me know if you’re interested in a review.

Body and Skincare

Queen of Ta Da Shaving Gel- Love this stuff but before I started to use this I would use any old moisturiser or conditioner that I didn’t get on with for shaving, but I like how this is easy to rinse out of razors!
Good Things Stay Clear Anti Blemish Cleanser- The Good Things range is amaze, like seriously, seriously good! ;). This cleanser is so easy to use and my skin hasn’t been fab lately and this is doing the trick and keeping it nicely balanced.
No. 7 Total Renewal Micro Dermabrasion Exfoliator- I got this only a few weeks ago with my No.7 voucher and I’ve only used it a few times so it’s a bit too early to say if I like it, but my skin does feel very soft after I use it.
Queen Helene Grape Seed Extract Peel Off Masque- I reviewed this ages ago and I still have some left. I mostly use LUSH facemasks but this is great to have in the bathroom because it doesn’t need to be kept in the fridge. Oh and the fun peeling off aspect makes me like it too, I’m easily amused!
Beauty Parlour Buff It Up Body Scrub- For this one I was totally sucked into the packaging, I'm not going to lie. Kind of wish I hadn’t got it now because the ingredients list aren’t normally what I look for in products. You can get this range in Superdrug and I guess it’s like their take on Soap & Glory.
LUSH Buffy- I must be reminded to just stick with this as my exfoliator. Love it, such a classic! I’ve been using it for maybe 6 or more years now which is kind of terrifying, but shows I love it! I keep it in that little LUSH tin.
Naked Oh La La Coco De Mer Body Wash- I adore Naked shower gels because they are the only ones you can pick up in Superdrug and Boots (that I know of) that don’t contain SLS. This scent is very exotic and luxurious to me, I don’t get the overwhelming sense of coconut that most people do which sucks because I adore coconut, but I still love this stuff.
LUSH Snow Fairy Shower Gel- Best. Shower. Gel. Ever! Hate that it has SLS in but apart from that, one of my favourite beauty products ever! Has a gorgeous candy, sweet scent and is a full on bubblegum pink with sparkles. If you hate girly scents stay well clear of this, but if that is your kind of thing, stock up! I do however love LUSH’s other shower gel too, Glogg, which is like a spicy mulled wine.

Extras

Wide Tooth Comb- Not pictured but I use this for conditioner and stuff. It hangs nicely on my shower.
Pink Shower Puff- Essential!
Shaun The Sheep Shower Puff- Not essential, but too cute to not get! I got it at Tesco but I can’t find it online.
LUSH Ballistic Tube- I got these years ago, and I know recently there was a black version re-released, but I store my LUSH bath bombs in these cuties!
LUSH Hatbox- In here lives all my LUSH things and general bath things like bubble bath, bath melts etc :).

And that’s it! Please do this tag if you want to and let me know :).

xoxo

LUSH Christmas 2011 BBS: Three Gold Rings

2011-11-06T22:14:00.001Z

Sodium Bicarbonate, Cream of Tartar, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Lauryl Betaine, Golden Lustre, Myrrh Resinoid, Cocamide DEA, Soya Milk, Organic Sweet Orange Oil, Vanilla Absolute, *Benzyl Salicylate, Coumarin, *Limonene, Perfume *occurs naturally in essential oils

A luxury foaming bath of gold and vanilla. Three Gold Rings is a bath of bling, for days when what you need most is a bit of luxury and a sense that all is well with the world. It’s swirling waters of shimmering gold will mesmerise you, whilst it’s rich, layered vanilla fragrance will wrap you in a comforting hug. This product contains Simon’s fine vanilla fragrance of myrrh resin, sweet orange oil and vanilla absolute that he developed for our Crème Anglaise body lotion. Swoosh the water for ripples of shimmering gold, meditate on the patterns and let life pass you by for an hour.

I’m back with another Christmas LUSH review, because I adore the LUSH Christmas range and it’s pretty much all I use throughout the winter months. This product, ‘Three Gold Rings’ is a bubble bar slice, so if you’re new to LUSH then basically they are LUSH’s equivalent to bubble bath. You literally snap off a chunk and crumble it under running bath water. If you’re feeling decadent you can use the whole thing, but everyone I know, and even those who worked for lush, break it up because at £3.75 for just one, you’ll want to savour it!

So that’s how you use it, so now on to the scent. Oh my word, beautiful! If like me you adore vanilla then you’ll want to buy a hundred of these. And not that nasty artificial vanilla, true creamy, warm rich vanilla from real vanilla pods. There’s just nothing like this and eager LUSH fans will recognise this as the gorgeous Creme Anglaise. However to me it will always be a B Never scent, and I would smoother some all over my hands when I worked there because it was just beautiful (in case you’re confused, it used to be a B Never product, and then when B went, it was re-launched as a LUSH product). Having said that to some the scent may be too much, I mean I purchased this in Liverpool and my whole suitcase was left with this scent, and you could even smell it from the outside!!!! Other than the scent, it left my skin and the bath water feeling like silk. I mean I can’t remember softer bubble baths since forever. I can’t wait to buy a million of these little things! A*** from me!

Click here to read other reviews, read more, and to buy online. I would love to know your thoughts below if you’ve tried this one? Let me know if you’re stocking up on LUSH Christmas products.

xoxo

Favourites: October 2011

2011-10-31T22:41:00.000Z

So October has come to an end, so that means November is here and then soon it will be Christmas. Woah! What has happened to this year, seriously guys?! Answers on a postcard, or comments? haha. Anyway, a few things that I’m been loving this month are below, and like always I want to know what you love during the month too.

1. Liz Earle Sheer Skin Tint SPF 15

So I actually did a review of this product a little while ago and at the time really liked it, but the colour was a bit of an issue, but for some bizarre reason, this month the colour has been spot on. I don’t get it! Well actually I just mixed a bit of my Dainty Doll foundation into it, like the teeniest amount, or whatever I have lying around and wow what a difference. I now seriously cannot get enough of this thing, and even though I was sent it, I would re-purchase. However my skin is a lot better than it was in that review, but anyway, very, very in love with it at the moment!

2. Clarins Daily Energizers

About a month or so again my Nana and I had a free Clarins facial at the beauty salon she has been going to for years. She has always used nothing other than Clarins, but for some reason I’ve always assumed they were fully of nasties and just generally overpriced, but the lady gave me some samples of some of the things she used and my skin LOVES it! I got a sample of the cleansing gel, wake up booster and the cream gel. They all smell absolutely delicious, like seriously good! It’s a lovely very clean pleasant smell and even though these samples are small, they are generous enough to get a good feel for them. My skin has such a glow to it since I have started to use them, and so much so, that I have already purchased a big bottle of the wake-up booster!

3. Clinique High Impact Mascara

I know I only mentioned this one not long ago, but I purchased the full size not long ago. I am head over heels in love with this mascara! It holds the curl nicely and gives tons of volume, which I love. I would highly recommend it, but yes, at £13 it was quite pricey, but my lashes love it.

4. MAC Spiced Chocolate Eyeshadow Quad- Cult of Cherry

Blimey, look at the state of that!!! You can tell I love this palette…a lot! So yes, for a long time now I’ve loved this palette that I believe was released in maybe 2008? It was definitely part of the Cult of Cherry collection. I have sadly nearly used up my beloved Nanogold which used to be literally the only highlighter I would use! I use the other colours all throughout the autumn/winter months and they are still going strong! Just a classic autumnal palette really.

5. LUSH Imperialis Moisturiser

This is a classic moisturiser if you have combination skin like me, and I’ve been using it on and off for many, many years now. I am a bit of a skincare junkie, it has to be said, and I like to mix it up a lot as you can tell from my blog. I do love this in the colder weather when my skin needs a moisturise burst as I feel LUSH moisturisers are super moisturing, but be warned that some people do break out from them because of the cocoa butter. My skin loves it, and alongside my other skin care items, I’ve been loving this even more lately.

6. 100 Foods to Stay Young- Charlotte Watts

So I’m a firm believer that you are what you eat and if you’ve read my blog for a while you know that I have always been a huge fan of feeding your skin from the inside. I’m a big fan of my beloved Healthy Skin Diet and I then found this little beauty in my local book discount store. It’s a book that is in a similar vein to the Healthy Skin Diet in that it discusses foods and drinks that provide skin with the essential vitamins and nutrients to nourish your skin from the inside. It has different chapters on fruit, vegetables, meat etc, and what’s even better is that for every food mentioned, there is a recipe on how to use it in your diet. I can’t wait to try some of them, if you want me to post one on here for some inspiration let me know.

7. Yumi Bow Bag

If you read my recent account of my visit to Clarks Village in Street you will know that I fell for this little beauty. I know it’s probably a spring bag but to be honest I love it for this time of year too as it goes with pretty much everything. Perfect size too, I think I’ll be using this for ages! Oh and if you want to see what I carry around with me I literally wrote a updated post a few days ago :).

8. Lid Stuff Soap & Glory

Some of you eager beavers will have noticed that Soap & Glory have recently branched into make up. Well they’ve always had a few make up bits, but now you’ll notice full stands in larger Boots stores. I was recently given the opportunity to trial the new palette which I will upload a FOTD for later in the week as I’m still enjoying playing around with it, but it’s so lovely. Like I said, I’ll discuss it more later but I do really love this and I need to be careful to not use it every single day as I can get in bad make up habits like that, I like to switch it up every now and then!

9. Topshop Make Up ‘Pillow Talk’ Lipstick

I feel like every blogger has been talking about this but yes, it is Topshop’s ‘Pillow Talk’ lipstick from their latest A/W 11 colour collection. Topshop make up doesn’t get raved about enough in my opinion; I adore it! I’ve had this lipstick a while now and it’s the perfect pinky nude. It reminds me of 50s pin ups and Doris Day in ‘Pillow Talk’ the film itself. Veeeery pretty and something I like to rock with the above.

10. ‘Mylo Xyloto’ Coldplay

A non- beauty fashion favourite to finish- the new Coldplay album! This will stay in my car for weeks probably, I am so lazy at changing CDs, but so far loving it!

xoxo

MAC Halloween: Ace Of Hearts Facechart Inspired

2011-10-31T20:49:00.001Z

Image Source

Products Used:

Dainty Doll Foundation
MAC Dainty Blush
MAC D Squared Contour Powder
NYX Milk Eye Pencil
Barry M White Kohl Pencil
MAC Blacktrack Fluidline
MAC Russian Red Lipstick
MAC Russian Red Lipglass
MAC Cherry Lipliner
MAC Spiced Chocolate Quad
Clinique High Impact Mascara

Better late than never, a Halloween look I rescued from a while ago! I have loads of make up looks on an old computer which I’m slowly but surely trying to get the data off, so this will hopefully be the start of many more make up looks as I feel like that was the ‘root’ of my blog, which I cannot believe began 3 years ago. MAC officially do the most amazing Halloween looks, and this was one of my favourites from 2009 I believe. I used completely different products and changed things about a bit. Like, I only blocked out one eyebrow and toned down the contouring just a bit. Having said that this looked so much better in real life, I really need to get a camera to not wash out make up in the future! In real life it was a very full on blusher look. And I made the lips less OTT heart and just subtley so. Oh, and if you ever attempt this look use a primer underneath NYX Milk jumbo eye crayon because boy does this thing crease!!!

So what have you all done for Halloween this year? Do you celebrate? If so, what are you dressed up as? I’d love to know! I don’t really like Halloween, if I’m being honest, but I LOVE that everyone gets decked head to toe in amazing make up artistry! Right up my street :).

xoxo

Day Out at Street-Clarks Village and Haul

2011-10-30T21:23:00.001Z

So on Friday I took a little trip through the Somerset countryside with my Mum and Nana to Clarks Village in Street, which is of course named after the infamous shoe brand, Clarks! We tend to go every year and I’ve always tagged along since I was little. Like all designer outlets, most the stuff isn’t strictly ‘designer’, so don’t go expecting Chanel handbags girls! Having said that I’ve never left empty handed and I love everything I got the other day. And I know, I know, I’m doing a haul. Long time readers know I have this weird thing about hauls. I absolutely love reading/watching them, but don’t like the idea of doing them myself! Anyway, I hope you enjoy. Sorry about the awful photos, hello winter! #bloggingproblems.

This is the first time I’ve been since the arrival of Yumi, so you can all imagine how excited I was about that! I picked up the above little cream dress, because I know I already have the green version already, but this dress is one of my absolute favourites! I know it’s probably way too girlie for most, but this is me in dress form. I tweeted months ago the two colours on me and 90% of you said they preferred the green on me, but because this was only £14.99 from £45, I couldn’t leave without it! I also picked up a little cameo bag, which has actually lost the little cameo centre piece, but hey I’m a crafter, that’s not a problem for me! It was only £7.50 so a total bargain to me. I then went back to Yumi and got this black lace cardigan for just £10.99. It’s so snug, and an A/W essential to have. Fiiinally a gorgeous bluey-grey bow handbag which was £29.99 but I got it for £12.99. I am so in love with this beauty! I’m going to have to move into it straight away, so if you read my updated what’s in my bag post yesterday, my things are moving into this!

After much damage was done in Yumi I got two shoes. The top grey metallic ones were from Jane Shilton, but they actually have Pulse on the inside, but I think it’s still Jane Shilton. They had them in a peachy pink too which I kind of preferred, but no size 5. Still, I think these will go with so much more, and I’m in love with the vintage 1920s style they exude. They were £95 but I got them for £24.99. Gooorgeous. But finally I got these black velvet heels with gold studs from guess where? Clarks itself! Yes! I haven’t purchased anything from Clarks since my school years and couldn’t believe it when I found these gorgeous things! They were only £15, and I think they were originally £30.

Anyway if any of you are in the Somerset area definitely give Street a visit. It’s in a very picturesque spot and you might find a gem or two!

xoxo

What’s in my mini day bag?

2011-10-29T20:57:00.001+01:00

So my mum, nana and I went on a little day trip to Street, in Somerset and whilst I was sitting in the car I thought I’d sort out my handbag, and then thought, why not document it? For the record it was a long drive and sometimes country lanes can get a little samey!

It seems forever ago now since I did a ‘what’s in my handbag post’, but most things haven’t changed. The bag itself is from New Look, but I’m afraid I can’t find it on the main website. You should be able to get it though. Normally I wouldn’t ever buy a bag this small but then for work we have small lockers and I was always getting my big bags caught in the lock!!! You’d be surprised what I can fit in this bag though, just look!

The brown bow wallet is also from New Look. I have always used my Marilyn Monroe one I got in LA but it was getting a bit tired and so reluctantly swapped because I did love that little thing. My coin purse is from Topshop, you’ve all seen that in a favourites post, and long time reader of my blog know I have the weirdest obsession with rabbits! Below that I then have another two little purses. I know, I know, I get teased all the time for having little purses for everything! The one on the left is my little Yumi Russian doll purse where I keep my car key and other keys on huuuuge big silly key rings! One owl and Russian dolls, and the other a little Gibraltar monkey! I also keep some sweets in here for when I need a sugar pick me up. The other purse is my mini emergency kit. I have tablets, plasters, sickness bands, a sewing kit, nail file etc. You never ever know when you might need something from one of these things! Below that is everything else. My tangle teezer, mobile, notepad, mirror, dry shampoo, inhaler (yes, asthma girl!), pass and hand cream.

And that’s pretty much everything, I can’t believe I fit this much in this teeny bag! So now I’m really curious to see what you all carry around with you. Let me know below :).

xoxo

Baby It’s Cold Outside…

2011-10-24T21:54:00.001+01:00

Whilst the lovely late summer weather at the beginning of the month was a very welcome surprise, it definitely feels a lot colder now. As you lose so much heat through your head, I live in knitted hats throughout winter, but for those who like something a little less for their mane, I am knitting up these bow headbands, and also some turbans. This is a lovely hot pink but I am making them in every colour you could imagine, and in fact, if you have any requests, I would love you to leave them below.

Unfortunately these are not going to be available until December, but as I love you all so, I’m giving you a sneak preview, so I hope you love! Stay tuned to my online shop to see when they will be up. Don’t forget to enter HALLOWEEN11 at checkout for 10% off! I’ll be back with some outfit and make up looks soon :).

xoxo

LUSH Christmas 2011 Bath Melts: The Melting Snowman

2011-10-23T21:13:00.001+01:00

Sodium Bicarbonate, Icing Sugar, Citric Acid, Cocoa Butter, PEG-6 Caprylic / Capric Glycerides, Almond Oil, Titanium Dioxide, Perfume, Shea Butter, Benzoin Resinoid, Rose Absolute, Cassie Absolute, Dairy Free Chocolate Drops, *Benzyl Benzoate *occurs naturally in essential oils

Our little snowman is about to shuffle off this mortal coil – but not before you get one last bath from him as he disappears for another year. It is a short but glorious life that our Melting Snowman lives. He may not have long to go, but boy is he going to make a grand exit.

Exquisitely fragranced with a blend of oils containing vanilla absolute and sweet wild orange, giving him a deep marzipan fragrance with notes of rich fruit, reminiscent of Christmas cake and figgy puddings. Which means he smells exactly the same as our bestselling Snowcake soap.

But if it isn’t enough to smell of our most popular Christmas fragrance, he’s also got a body made of water-softening bicarb of soda, cocoa butter and shea butter. This means that when the heat gets to him and he finally melts away, he fizzes those wonderful butters through your bathwater, leaving you soft and moisturised. What a way to go! His legacy is your great skin – which means he lives on in the memory of all who knew him.

I have missed you all tons, and I’m so ashamed with how slack I am becoming on my blog!! So sorry my lovelies. Anyway, today I want to do a quick little review of the new LUSH bath melt for Christmas: The Melting Snowman. This is a completely new Christmas product for LUSH this year and I have to say what a fabulous, fabulous creation! I mean a bath product moulded on a snowman that melts in the bath is kind of a given, right? Well to be honest, I’m surprised he hasn’t been around for years, but thank goodness he is here now. He smells seriously gorgeous, with a heady mix of vanilla and tonka (which, incidentally are two of my favourite scents ever, ever), mixed with a lovely snuggly almond scent which is exactly the same as the infamous Snowcake soap.

To use him, you simply drop (or nicely place!) him in a lovely hot bath and he gently fizzes away. It’s not like a ballistic fizz, he dissolves very peacefully and suddenly the bath water is turned into pure silk, leaving a gorgeous moisturising film on your skin. Some might find this a little meh, but I actually really love it because you don’t need to use any moisturiser at all. Additionally the fact that the scent for this one lingers longer than any LUSH product I’ve tried for ages makes it a complete winner for me. I can’t wait to stock up on this one, and I’m very happy indeed that his legacy is indeed making my skin so, so soft!

The Melting Snowman is £1.95 and will only be available over the Christmas period. To find out more, click here. Has anyone tried this one, or any of the other Christmas products from LUSH this year? Let me know your thoughts!

xoxo

Cute Spooky Delights For Your Hair…

2011-10-19T20:14:00.001+01:00

Corsage Hair Bow, Pumpkin Clips, Baby Pumpkin Clips

Finally posting to tell you all about my little Halloween offerings this year, which you can check out here. I’m sorry I couldn’t do tons of things, but I am working on other things which I think will have more wear throughout the year, and not just on Halloween! Anyway, a short, but sweet post I know. I wanted to finish my Liverpool shopping guide post today, but I have been dog sitting and got distracted, hehe. But because I love you all so very much, if you enter HALLOWEEN11 at checkout on my shop, you will get a lovely 10% off (just make sure you enter it in where it states, otherwise the discount will not go through). This offer will run until the end of the month, so don’t miss out! Click HERE to shop!

xoxo

‘A dream you dream is just a dream. A dream you dream together is reality…’

2011-10-17T18:33:00.000+01:00

Good evenings (or morning, afternoon, you know the drill!) to you my lovelies, how I have missed you! I know I’ve been a little M.I.A on the old blog lately, but I have actually spent the last week in Liverpool staying with family. Long time followers will know that I go up every year, if not more, and I absolutely love this place. Well okay, my family don’t live exactly in the centre of Liverpool, but only a 10 minute Mersey Rail journey away (oh Mersey Rail, how I love thee!). I felt a little bit meh some of the time because it’s the first big thing since I discovered my illness earlier this year, but I was so happy to be there and tried to soak up every second! Liverpool is one of my favourite cities in the world. It has such a unique energy to it, and of course, shopping was done! In fact, I will be writing up a shopping guide to Liverpool very, very soon. Remember the ones I did on Bristol and Brighton? Well I’ve definitely not given up on the series, I just haven’t been to any new shopping cities lately!

Whilst I was there, I visited the Rene Magritte exhibition at the Tate which was fantastic, but has sadly ended now. I also meandered around Matthew Street, pretending I was a 60s girl, and then on the last days there visited Heswall, Parkgate and the ever so lovely Brimstage, which is where I met that cute little hen!

In other news, my little blog was born in October 2008 and so this month is my blog’s 3rd birthday. I actually cannot believe it, 3 years! On the one hand it seems no time at all, and then on the other, like a million years ago. I feel I absolutely must do something to celebrate, but I have no idea what! Ideas on a postcard, or perhaps in the comment please ;). I definitely have a lot of posts to catch up on. I have a few things I want to review and I also want to start my new project on here, but don’t want to officially announce it until I am certain I have the time to immerse myself in it, so to speak!

Anyway I hope you’re all well, I’ve missed you lots! Tell me your news, and my Liverpool shopping guide will be up very, very soon :).

xoxo

Betsey Johnson Fiat 500!

2011-10-10T17:41:00.001+01:00

Image Source

As if the Fiat 500 couldn’t get cute enough, Betsey Johnson has given it a little makeover! Even though I absolutely love this car, a) if I drove around in a car that pink I would have no guy friends left and b) the only advice I ever got from anyone when I passed my test is never to buy a Fiat.

Anyway there is sadly no real point to this post, but I just wanted to show this off, because you know I’m obsessed with everything she does! What do you think about the pink Fiat 500, and does Betsey’s little signature make it more appealing? I think, and I can’t believe I’m saying this, but whilst it would be a cute Barbie car, I think I’ll pass! Since I learnt to drive I have a completely different car taste, and I’m more into KA and Minis in more classic ordinary shades!!!

xoxo

New Headbands at I Love Crafty!

2011-10-08T20:56:00.001+01:00

I’m so sorry for the lack of posts yet, I’m just still not very well and I find it hard to sit down to blog, even though I’m not exactly leading the most exciting of times at the moment! Having said that, being ill does allow me to catch up on a lot of things like my crafting. I can’t wait to tell you everything I’ve been up to, but you’ll have to wait until nearer the time of the Clothes Show Live. In the meantime, for those who are in the Bristol area, I now have some more of my wire headbands in the world’s cutest shop in the world: I Love Crafty! From some nautical designs, to Hello Kitty, to vintage florals, it’s all there. And whilst you’re there I am sure you will fall for every single thing in Laura’s gorgeous shop, which stocks beautiful handmade items made by Laura herself, and local artists, including myself! I couldn’t imagine a happier place for my little hair things to be then I Love Crafty, and look how pretty it looks against Laura’s pretty pink hair model! To read my introductory post to Laura’s shop you can click here.

Address:

The Clifton Arcade, Boyces Avenue, Clifton, Bristol BS8 4AA.

Website ♥ Facebook ♥ Twitter ♥ Blog

xoxo

REVIEW: Dainty Doll Liquid Foundation

2011-10-04T22:40:00.001+01:00

I have had this review waiting to go for a little while now but this month has gone so fast! Anyway, as promised ages ago, I have finally tried the Dainty Doll liquid foundation and if you’ve read my recent favourites post you know I already love it, so this will be a very much to the point review! In case you’re unsure of what the Dainty Doll brand is all about, then very briefly, it is a cosmetic line created by the gorgeous Nicola Roberts of Girls Aloud, who after struggling to find make up to match her porcelain complexion, set about creating her own shades. The whole thing was thought up when Girls Aloud did a TV series called ‘The Passion of Girls Aloud’. Immediately after the show Nicola launched Dainty Doll with a few mouse foundations and other make up bits. You can check out my review of those here, but fast forward to last year, Nicola re-launched the brand completely which now includes liquid foundation, and a ton of other gorgeous things. I have been holding out and waiting for the much anticipated liquid foundation, which is the newest item to the collection. Here’s is a little description of the product:

Enriched with skin-loving ingredients and essential SPF 15, this Dainty Doll Now That I’ve Found You Liquid Foundation in 002 Light gently cares for your skin while the pump action dispenser makes it easy to use whether you’re applying with a sponge, brush or just your fingers. Soft focus particles give a luminous look that helps visibly reduce fine lines and wrinkles for a gorgeous, flawless finish.

But now a slightly brief story of my pale foundation searching woes. Well, my skin is fair, I think that’s pretty clear to see though! I have always had snow white skin, and to be honest it has never ever bothered me, and it makes me so, so upset to see how much stick people like Nicola have had to go through because of it. Why is it impossible for people to just accept that everyone is different and that we don’t all look the same? Like Nicola, I have never tanned in my life, and every foundation from Boots etc. gives me the orange look.

As a result I have grown up never really wearing foundation, which is weird seeing how make up obsessed I have always been! Having said that, I have found a few goodies along the way. Mineral make up companies like Lily Lolo are quite good for pale skin, as is Make Up Forever but there was definitely a much needed gap in the market for Nicola’s range.

(The skip to bit if you don’t want to know the background stuff!) I feel like I have just typed an essay already so here comes the actual review bit. Very basically, I adore this foundation…like seriously, seriously love it! I have never had a reaction to a foundation like I have had to this. I don’t want much coverage at all and this is so perfect. It goes on so smoothly, melts into my combination skin perfectly, leaves a gorgeous luminosity to the skin, and it feels so soft. Oh and how could I forget the most important factor of all: MATCHES MY SKINTONE! I was really dubious about whether the shade 002 would be too dark for me, but it’s absolutely perfect. If you are an NW15, or just under, and MAC foundations oxidise on you (been there, got the t-shirt!), then this would be perfect on you. Just take a look at my photo above of NW15 on the left, and the Dainty Doll on the right, and you’ll see how orange NW15 looks! If you have very, very, VERY pale skin I would then go for shade 001, but I think 002 is going to be great for most. I’m sorry the photos of me in it aren’t that good, but I was trying to capture the gorgeous glow it gives. It’s not greasy or anything like that, but it just has something pretty magical in there which makes the skin look radiant. It’s like my natural skin, but so much better, and I’m trying so hard not to wear it every day because I’m literally just a every so often foundation girl normally, but this stuff is so addictive!

You can buy this foundation from Boots, and selected Boots stores, Harrods, and Look Fantastic. I got mine from Look Fantastic and would highly recommend their service, plus I got it for £17 and normally it is £22, and I even got free shipping. If you purchase it from Boots be snappy and take advantage of the 3 for 2 make up offer, which I’m pretty sure is still going on. I’d love to know if any of you have tried the Dainty Doll range, and if so what your thoughts are? Would you like to see more pale skinned posts? I have also reviewed her new concealer in case you wanted to see what that’s like too.

xoxo

Favourites: September 2011

2011-09-30T19:21:00.000+01:00

I’m writing this on Sunday, and it’s now the second day of the new month, October, so excuse my lateness! I’m getting terribly slack with my favourites post these days! Lesson well and truly learnt!

1. Dainty Doll Liquid Foundation

I have to start this favourites post with my absolute favourite product of to be honest, forever! As you all know, my skin is snow white fair, and I really struggle finding a foundation match. Well normally I never bother with any foundation at all, but finally the amazing Nicola Roberts, of Girls Aloud fame, created her fabulous make up range for pale skinned lovelies and now, for the first time in my life, I have liquid foundation that matches me perfectly. I mean, I have got along with Make Up Forever shades in the past, but this is literally perfect! I am going to do a review on it very, very soon but just know, I love it! I purchased it at Look Fantastic and highly recommend getting it from them!

2. Topshop Socks

My feet are always freeeeeezing cold and at this time of year (although not the last few days, hello the return of summer!) I try to smoother my feet in LUSH’s Pied De Pepper (which I am so cross won’t be around much longer!) and then cocoon my feet in some cute socks! I love Topshop’s 3 for £8 deal and recently got these lovelies. I of course had to get some Squirrel socks oh and I also have these panda ones, elephant ones, and you know I’m in love with these rabbit ones too! I can’t find the other two online, but they are in every Topshop I have visited recently.

3. Shaun The Sheep Shower Poof

Isn’t this just super adorable?! I HAD to get it, and it soon became a favourite…I mean just look at his little sheep, cute!!!

4. Models Own ‘Utopia’ Nail Polish

This is actually my most recent NOTD, but it has soon become one of my favourite Models Own polishes, and for some reason, even though I’m usually all about darker shades this time of year, I can’t stop wanting to wear this! A really gorgeous grey/lilac that I would highly recommend, and be quick if you want it because I believe Boots are still doing a 3 for 2 on make up! If you want to see what it looks like on you can check out my NOTD here.

5. New Make Up Storage

I post quite a lot about make up storage, because it really interests me. Recently I have completely changed the way I store my make up and this colourful storage tower is so perfect. I have actually done a whole post about this so if you want to check that out feel free to click here.

6. Happy Hair Days Marshmallow and Coconut Colour Care Shampoo and Conditioner

First of all I am so sorry that the quality of the above photo is disgusting, I took it in awful lighting at night! Anyway, I absolutely LOVE the Happy Hair Days hair care range. I got it simply because it had marshmallow and coconut in and basically that sounded amazing, but then I realised how it’s got very eco-friendly ingredients, and it’s just fantastic! Even though I don’t have coloured hair it works for me really well. And anyway, my red hair tends to change on its own throughout the year, so if it can make it stay dark all year round, then that’s an extra bonus. Only problem is that the company is a total enigma; no shop or anything. The only place I’ve found any is on the Boots website, and I got my set in a big ish Boots.

7. New Look Brogue Bag

I am absolutely loving this little bag. Normally I’m very much a huge bag girl, but lately, (but don’t ask me how), I’ve been getting everything in this little cutie. It’s not super, super small, but definitely not a big regular handbag size. But it’s £12.99 which I think is really good value. Snap it up if you like it here.

8. Naked Coco De Mer Body Wash

For anyone who is also trying to rid SLS from their beauty routine, you may symphathise when it comes to shower gel. For some reason, it is impossible to find lovely smelling and yet natural shower products. A trip to Boots or Superdrug will leave you pretty much empty handed, that is until I had a gander at Naked Cosmetics products. The scent wise isn’t overwhemling, but I did fall a little for this one, Coco De Mer. At first I was a bit, yeah it smells nice but not best scent in the world or anything, but now I’ve come to really, reeeally love it! So much so, that I think I might buy the bath foam to go with it. If you want to read more about it, the link is voila.

9. Superdrug Optimum Super Antioxidant Grape Eye Cream

You’ve probably heard a lot about the Optimum range from Superdrug, which boosts that their products deliver as effective anti-aging products as say, a £300 cream. Well I got sucked in because I was in need of a new eye cream and I thought I should use something which anti aging properties because, well, it’s never too early right? Well yes, this was my thinking! To read the techy bit, click here, but I love how fresh my eyes look each morning and it feels lovely and moisturised too. I can’t comment about aging things, because it’s not something I have currently, but it’s made my favourites because I think it’s proving to really do some good to the skin around my eyes.

10. Coldplay ‘Paradise’

I’m making a little change this month with my favourites post and featuring some music! I have become so obsessed with this song, as you probably all know from my Twitter. I don’t know why, but I find something very enchanting about it all. I really love Coldplay, and I must learn to play this on the piano, or violin. Beeeautiful.

Anyway I hope you enjoyed my September favourites, and now this is the part where I throw it over to you. Let me know what you are currently loving below, or link me to your posts.

xoxo

Hello Kitty Collection at Forever 21

2011-09-29T22:15:00.001+01:00

Image Source

This is quite possibly the most exciting Hello Kitty collaboration I have seen since the MAC and Hello Kitty range back in what, 2009? But yes, as some of you may already know, US high-street giant Forever 21 are teaming up with the cute kitty for a limited edition collection that launches November 18th this year, with everything under $30 (so, roughly £20). I’m not going to post the whole collection, but I’ve literally just selected my favourites and posted them above. I think some of the stuff may have been styled a bit too OTT, but I’m so, so in love with these four cuties. I presume this will launch in the UK, seeing as we now have Forever 21 stores, but I’ll keep you updated. Has anyone been to the new store in London, or elsewhere? I’ve only been to the US ones.

Would love to know what you all think of the collection, to check out more of the collection and for more information check out Racked and Nitrolicious.

xoxo

OOTD: ‘Crazy like a fox…’

2011-09-28T21:42:00.001+01:00

Dress (belt included): Yumi
Bracelets: Unknown, got them ages ago!

I haven’t done an OOTD for a little while, so let me introduce you to my darling little fox dress! I got it a few weeks ago during London Fashion Week because Yumi had a flash sale from 1-2pm, or something like that, with a very lovely 30% coupon to share, so I went ahead and got this dress because I’ve had my eye on it for ages now. Isn’t it cute? I think at £48 to some it seems a lot, but you get the belt included and I do really love it. It is a very skinny fit though, I just find it really slimming! I’ve worn it quite a few times already actually but wore it today without tights and minimal jewellery and stuff because I was just having a crafting day and I have an annoying cold so my asthma is through the roof. But anyway, back to the dress, I said I loved it, right? ;).

I unfortunately can’t think of much else to say right now. I’m feeling exhausted right now so I actually think I might go to bed. Blogging wise, I have a whole ton of post ideas, and something in particular I know, well at least, hope you will love! Oh and actually, one more thing, if you are tempted by a Yumi order anytime soon, then I believe the code FACE15 will get you 15% off, yay!

Let me know what you think of the dress, and UK’ers, have you been enjoying the summer weather we’ve been getting recently? I love it, but clothes wise, I never know what season to dress for! haha.

xoxo

New York Fashion Week: Betsey Johnson Spring/Summer 2012

2011-09-26T23:08:00.001+01:00

Image Credit: 1 & 2

Credit: FatalefashionII

I am so ashamed how late this post has been put up, shame on me indeed! But yes back on September 12th, Betsey Johnson rocked New York Fashion week with her Spring/Summer 2012 collection. With singer Nicki Minaj sitting front row, decked head to toe in Lolita esque pastels, with a fierce aqua blue curly do, and edible looking sweet jewellery, this was definitely the most exciting and extravagant show at New York Fashion week!

Apparently “boobs up, butt out!” was the advice designer Betsey Johnston gave her models before they sashayed down the runway sporting mini-bustiers, bright bubble skirts, jewelled bralets, complimented by big, bold necklaces, lightning-bolt earrings (which incidentally, were made by an Etsy seller, isn’t that amazing?!), and hot bright pink lips. The collection illustrated that time and time again Betsey makes her own rules in the fashion world, and whilst many other designers who showcased what we’ll be wearing next season displayed various Spring esque flowy tops and mid-length skirts and dresses, Betsey went with a Burlesque lingerie theme which was assumedly to showcase her new look lingerie line, which was highlighted throughout and at the end, with panty-clad models carrying huge red and silver foil A and T balloons, which stand for ‘A Tisket’, the name of the lingerie line.

For me the collection was fun and flirty and thus very Betsey, but I did miss the huge bubble and tulle net dresses that has become for me the embodiment of Betsey’s style. Nonetheless, if you take this collection for what it is, to highlight and promote her new lingerie line, then it was again another triumph. I adored the corseted flirty mini length dresses, and I love how even the shoes, with their corset detail, take on a lingerie feel. There weren’t as many ‘Ooooh I need it things’ as I have previous spring/summer Betsey collections, but it was a very cute collection for the next season! I’ve included some of my favourites above, and you can watch the whole show above, courtesy of Youtube, oh and yes, the obligatory Betsey cartwheel and splits is at the end of part 2. I’ve told you this lady is 69, right?! Yes!

NOTD: Models Own ‘Utopia’ Nail Polish

2011-09-22T22:00:00.001+01:00

I haven’t done a simple NOTD like this for a while but I was in Boots yesterday and found the 3 for 2 on make up offer way too tempting. Moreover, as this is one of the best Boots in my area, they have all of the brands on offer, and in particular a really nice Models Own stand. I have quite a few Models Own polishes and love the shades they have. This shade, ‘Utopia’ grabbed my attention recently because I loved it on May Loves Makeup, and then saw how stunning it looked on the lovely Gemma, who did the most incredible leopard print look with it, which is probably one of the best I have ever seen. May describes it as a pastel lilac grey and I reckon that’s pretty spot on. As soon as I saw it I thought it was a really pale lilac but there’s more to it than that, it’s really unique!

That’s pretty much it for my little nails today. Having a bit of a comfort night in tonight. I am currently sporting my Hello Kitty H&M dressing gown whilst watching Khloe & Lamar, Kim and Kourtney Take New York and a bit of X Factor USA. For the record, I think Cheryl was doing a really good job, but now we’re completely off topic, although I know some of you like to indulge in a little reality TV too ;).

Let me know what you think of this shade, and feel free to recommend any other Models Own shades below :).

xoxo

Betsey Johnson Pink Patch Wishlist

2011-09-21T20:47:00.001+01:00

L to R: 1, 2, 3, 4

Credit: Applezzzz19

Fiiiinally I can post about Betsey Johnson’s cheaper range ‘Pink Patch’ because it finally launched earlier this week. So exciting! At last my lovelies you can get Betsey pieces at far more pocket friendly prices, but I was surprised that to see that some dresses are still as much as £178. Above are some of my favourite pieces and I’m a very lucky girl, because I’ve been told I can pick something for my birthday in November. I’m going to get the white cardigan I think because I adore Betsey’s Marilyn Monroe wink designs. Whether or not this is in the London store yet I don’t know, but I will update you as soon as I am well enough to visit. I haven’t been to the London Betsey store in forever and I miss it ever so!

To have a look at the current collection you can visit the website here, and I’ve added a video from Betsey’s A/W 11 collection where you can see a lot of Betsey esque lookalikes take to the catwalk in the pieces!

xoxo

NOTD: Back To School Nails

2011-09-20T15:52:00.001+01:00

Products Used:

Collection 2000 French Manicure 5 Day Wear-103 French White
Nubar ‘Baby Blue’ Nail Lacquer
Nubar ‘Sexy Red’ Nail Lacquer
Models Own Wah Nails Nail Art Pen

I haven’t done nail art in forever, but I was inspired to do so by the ever so lovely (and proper hilarious, if you haven’t checked out her LFW videos do, now!) Gem Fatale to enter her latest giveaway, and I thought you may all like to see them too. The focus of the contest was ‘style’ and I wanted to do a crafting thing, as that’s very much my style, but I am looking as rough as anything at the moment, so decided to do nails instead. I adore nail art, I just don’t have the tools so I can’t really do it! I so envy the utterly amazing skills of the Daily Nail. To do the above I used the tiniest amount of polish on the big fat brushes and hoped it wouldn’t smudge! But I know it’s not really the way to go, so I would absolutely love to have nail art recommendations in terms of brushes etc. The WAH Nail art pen is very good actually, I purchased it recently and I just dropped it onto my nail here to make some little ink dots because I don’t know about you, but I always came home from school with ink on my hands! I think come next pay day I might buy some of the Nubar Nail Art pens. I already have a pink and orange that I was kindly sent and they are really, really good.

Anyway the reason I did ‘back to school nails’ is because a lot of people I know are packing up to go off to Uni and many are well back into the school routine now, and I always make sure style follows me around, even when I’m studying! haha.

Hope you all enjoyed this little post, don’t forget to leave me nail art tool recommendations if you know of any :).

xoxo

Make Up Storage Re-Visited

2011-09-19T23:10:00.001+01:00

So way back last year I did a make up storage post where I showed you all how I store my make up and beauty bits. Well lately I’ve given this a bit of a makeover because since my crafting and shop has evolved I desperately needed more storage for everything I make, so I actually used the two blue towers I had in that post, and swapped it for this this lovely new multi-coloured tower which I got from Hobbycraft.

Each drawer is pretty much exactly the same as the last post, but I’ve included photos anyway so you can see just how much goes in these little things. I would no way describe myself as a organised person, but I try to have a drawer for: Nails, lips, eyeshadows (and palettes, expect for MAC and Sleek palettes which are on top), eyeliners and bases, foundation, blushes and general face stuff, falsies (I know, I know, I have a problem!), pigments and glitters (the little ones are all MAC pigments, would highly recommend getting sample pigments to save £s) and then finally the drawer of everything else, aka, a mess!

I prefer this system so much more than my last storage, it really works for me, and I love that it’s a lot more colourful. Actually best of all, the drawers are quite deep so you can get a lot in and stack things up.

Anyway like I said in my last post, this is not a make up collection post, it’s purely to show how I organise my stuff. I would absolutely love to see or hear how you all store everything from your dresses to your make up, so definitely let me know :).

xoxo

OOTD: ‘Lace: The invention of a goddess and the occupation of a queen…’

2011-09-12T22:04:00.001+01:00

My outfit blogging mojo has definitely returned! I have finally found a little corner where the lighting will be okay for indoor photos. Do you all like the pink background? I hope so, because if you all say it’s okay then it’s definitely a keeper!

Anyway, outfit wise I know so many people have this Topshop dress but I saw it a while ago and couldn’t resist, and was actually so happy to see other people couldn’t resist too when I saw lots of blogging love for this little dress! In particular the lovely Emma of Milkteef wears it beeeeautifully. I decided to pair it with my thick chocolate brown tights and my beloved JOY bunny necklace which I blogged about back in March in my favourites post. I still love this little thing so much! You can’t see my earrings but they are just little pearl studs. I don’t like too much jewellery. Normally I would wear some sort of bracelet but I was doing a lot of crafting work today and they do get in the way a bit.

I don’t have much more to say about this outfit, but I will just add that if you would like this dress for yourself, or perhaps fancy any Topshop purchase, then you will be pleased to hear that there is a free shipping code doing the rounds. If you enter LOVETOPSHOP you get free P&P. I rarely buy things online other than for crafty bits but free P&P absolutely lures me in! Happy shopping girlies ;).

xoxo

REVIEW: Queen Of Crafts by Jazz Domino Holly

2011-09-10T20:31:00.001+01:00

For readers of Company Magazine Jazz Domino Holly will be a familiar face to you, with her oh-so-amazing crafting page, ‘Mistress of Stitch’, where each month she comes up with gorgeous fashionable creations anyone can create. Her column in Company is my favourite thing in the whole magazine and I always find myself wanting to go straight to this page to see what she comes up with! However, I adore Company magazine as a whole, just so you know!

The daughter of rock-royalty Joe Strummer of the Clash and founder of the Shoreditch Sisters Women's Institute, Jazz Domino Holly, is most certainly worthy of her ‘Queen of Crafts’ label. As you all know, I am a crafter myself, and I even opened a shop last year showcasing my crafty pieces, so I was longing to get my hands on this book. Jazz Domino Holly stresses quite a bit that some people see crafting as something a bit old, weird and basically not very ‘cool’, but she suggests that in fact crafting can be made in the same spirit as punk-rock music, like her famous father. Moreover, much like punk music itself, her crafts are somewhat rebellious, unique, fun and ultimately break some of the rules! So in her book you get step-by-step guides to creating your own sugar lip scrub, cute heart bunting, homemade jam tarts, marmalade (complete with label tutorial!) and even how to grow your own mini herb garden. Too rock 'n’ roll!

I absolutely love this book and it’s the perfect companion to my crafty loving ways. The book is nicely divided up between things like knitting, DIY beauty, cooking, garden and sewing. It’s the perfect book to dip in and out of and I love the history of the elements of crafting. It makes you realise what history it has. It’s great for someone new to crafting, but I do think if you’re a complete newbie you may benefit from a bit of extra help, like with the knitting for example, but Holly herself agrees. Also, in some ways the book is a little different from how I thought it would be in that I thought it would be tutorial after tutorial like her Company article would suggest, but rather Holly kind of introduces you to all the different elements of crafting, and it’s kind of up to you to create most of the ideas. She just sets you in the right direction. The one and only thing I was a bit meh about was the crafting directory at the back which is ALL London based, but again, Holly does admit this. Admittedly a lot of good stuff is in London, but don’t be afraid to explore what resources may be near you.

In the introduction to the book, Holly writes, “crafting is the perfect antidote to cookie-cutter mass-production, and gives us a means of expressing not only our individuality but also our originality in a handmade rebellion against passive consumption”. In a world where you can nip down to Primark (and I’m NOT just singling this shop out, insert any shop!) and get the same top for £5 or whatever, it’s difficult to see a world where crafting can ever be seen as a worthy thing to do. However, unleash your creative juices by removing all the buttons, dying it to your preferred colour, or add embellishments to it, whatever! Or pop along to the pound shop, grab some clear glasses and wrap lace round them to store your make up brushes in. These may be bad examples and I’m no way saying that you have to do crafty things to ordinary purchases, not at all, but what I am saying is how fun and rewarding crafting is, that it’s not something that your great ancestors did, but in fact a really empowering and extremely rewarding past time. Just think what inspiring people like William Morris did for the crafts, and the whole ‘Arts and Crafts’ movement.

If you fancy giving the whole crafting thing a go then this is a great book to have in your collection. It has also inspired me to start a little crafting feature of my own on here, because I adore it, and would absolutely love to show you how amazing it is too! Many thanks to the amazing Holly for this book, her lovely personality and passion for crafting is truly infectious!

I purchased this book ‘Queen of Crafts’ from Amazon for £9.52. Let me know what you think if you have this book too!

xoxo

OOTD: ‘Now it’s too late for you and your white horse to come around…’

2011-09-09T19:31:00.001+01:00

I have had my eye on this dress since forever and finally got round to getting it! Animal print is everywhere this season, and I’ve seen so many high street stores use sweet animal designs, and in fact I believe H&M are coming out with a horse print dress soon. To me though, this Yumi dress is the cutest of them all! I adore the lace panels across the top and down the sleeves. It is marked as being the ‘grey’ shade on the website, but to me has more of a green hint. I paired it with some horse earrings and a horse belt I found in Primark. I think this is the first time I’ve mentioned Primark in an outfit post, but I have to say, I have always been very impressed by their accessories.

I can’t actually think of anything else to say. Actually, in general, I know I do go on and on sometimes, but I am officially in love with every single Yumi A/W11 piece I have seen. I spy this Fox print dress which I must own someday, and their bags are just way too tempting. They are all far, far too gorgeous! I think I’ll do a wishlist soon so you can all see how lovely the collection is!

Let me know what you think of the dress and I hope you all have a lovely weekend.

xoxo

WINNER of my Sweet Treats Giveaway Is…

2011-09-08T22:33:00.001+01:00

Firstly, thank you so, so much to everyone who entered this giveaway! I haven’t had a giveaway in forever before this, but couldn’t resist the opportunity of teaming up with the lovely Laura of I Love Crafty, and also sharing a few beauty bits that I have kept for a while now, with the intention of letting one of my gorgeous readers to win. I had over 100 entries once I had added up all the extra entries, but okay, okay enough babbling…the winner is…*drumroll*….

Comment number 80 which was Sophie Isobel. Congratulations lovely! But also again a huge thank you to everyone else who entered and don’t worry, I will definitely do another giveaway in the future.

xoxo

OOTD: ‘You sing for the after show those candy coloured lips…’

2011-09-05T22:09:00.001+01:00

Good evening (or morning or afternoon depending on where you are!) my lovelies! Firstly, may I begin this post with two words that I don’t say enough: Thank. You! A big, big, BIG thank you because I checked my blog before I sat down to write this, and I discovered I now have 800 of you lovely people that clicked that little ‘follow’ button, and decided to read my blog. This October I will have been blogging for 3 years and honestly, I never, ever, ever thought that that many people could find anything I write vaguely interesting, so I just wanted to say how thankful I am for all your love and support. Anyway, I’m not great with words so I find it hard to express what I mean a lot of the time….but yes, lots of ♥.

Enough soppiness for one night, right? Oh, okay then ;). So I know a ton of bloggers have shown their love for this little blouse, and I hesitated about posting but I got this at the beginning of August, so I have hesitated for a while! I got it from the home of New Look and they had only just got them in. I absolutely adore it, and it’s definitely one of my favourite pieces from New Look. For some strange reason I can’t find it in on the website but it’s in every New Look store I’ve been in lately so they are still available to buy. The skirt I have is from H&M. This has to be my favourite purchase of the season already. I LOVE it! It goes with everything and is really comfy. It’s actually a very ‘un me’ purchase because I really don’t like leather looking things on me, even though this isn’t actually leather, but for some reason I really love this.

There’s nothing more to say about this little outfit I don’t think! By the way, this is going to be my new indoor outfit place as even though I prefer the lighting outside, it’s too unpredictable with the ‘it’s sunny’, nope it’s torrential rain kind of weather, so I hope the new background isn’t too much! I am veeeery excited to start a new blog series soon, I won’t ruin the surprise, but I really am super, super excited!

xoxo

Betsey Johnson at TK Maxx

2011-09-03T21:28:00.001+01:00

So as you all know I mention Betsey Johnson…a lot, but I then feel a bit guilty as half my lovely UK audience can’t get hold of anything because unless you can find it in the one shop in London, it'’ll only be available in America. But fear not lovelies, because TK Maxx is your friend! Over the years I have found so many Betsey things for a fraction of the price, and I literally search like a mad woman to find them. Some days you’ll be lucky and find a few things, and other times you may not find anything. On my last visit I managed to bag this little beauty! It’s a travel make up/cosmetic bag. It has a place for brushes at the front, and then a handy file divider style system for storing other bits. I seriously love this little thing, and it only cost £15!

And so the moral of this little post? If you wonder where I get quite a few Betsey accessories: TK Maxx! Get down there now and let me know what you find! OH and before I go don’t forget my giveaway ends tomorrow, so you don’t have long to enter! You can click here to enter.

xoxo

Favourites: August 2011

2011-08-31T22:00:00.001+01:00

I just realised I never posted my July favourites, opps! But here we are now in August. It’s been a funny old month, but I have found a lot of new lovelies I have fallen in love with, so enjoy!

1. MAC Freckletone Lipstick

Lately I’ve been reaching for this lipstick all the time as I have been using my Urban Decay or Sleek neutral palettes and it goes perfectly. I also love it because it’s really moisturising and gives a nice finish. I actually got mine years ago with the Emanuel Ungaro collection but it’s also part of the main collection here.

2. Sleek ‘Minx’ Pout Paint

I actually adore these little things, I can’t stop collecting them! This is of course one of Sleek’s new pout paints which is kind of like their version of the infamous OCC Lip Tars to which Sleek’s are a fraction of the price and to be honest, just as good. I was planning to do a review but I thought you may be sick of hearing about them?! Anyway this colour is the perfect dupe for OCC’s 'Hush' and I love mixing it with the other pout paints or just alone. Love it!

3. Lee Stafford Treatment for Hair that ever Grows past a certain Length

Okay so it may be early days yet, as in I’ve only used this for a week and a bit but already I’m noticing a different. I mean, okay so my hair isn’t longer yet, but it’s very soft and maintained in a good shape to allow it to grow…if that makes sense? But don’t be confused thinking it’s a conditioner- it’s something that is used between shampoo and conditioner. If anyone wants me to do a more in depth review, let me know.

4. Good Things Good Things Deep Clean Blackhead Exfoliator

Like I’ve always said, I really do have nothing but good things to say about Good Things…hahaha, not, sorry! No but in all seriousness I do really love this range and it’s so great to have something in drug stores that isn’t full of nasties. My skin has been a bit wacky lately and this instantly sorted it out. I always thought using an exfoliator on my skin would be too much but this sorts my skin out nicely, and makes my t-zone a lot less oily.

5. New Look Red and Black Bow Shoes

I saw these shoes mentioned on several blogs from the New Look A/W 2011 preview and it was love at first sight! And I know what you’re thinking, ‘what practical shoes!’, and indeed they are…indeed they are ;). If you want some for yourself you can still get them here.

6. LUSH Smitten Hand Cream

This is one of my favourite hand creams and then look what happens…it gets discontinued! Meh! So it’s probably not helpful to you all, but this is still one of my favourites and it really helps with the eczema on my hands. Sadly you can’t buy it in the LUSH shops anymore, but you can get it in Retro here.

7. Sinful Professional Colors ‘Cream Pink’ Nail Polish

I got this shade when I went to Spain and it featured in my latest NOTD here so some of you have seen this one, but I love it so much it made it to my favourites! It reminds me a lot of China Glaze's 'Strawberry Fields' but more neony, for want of a better word!

8. Rabbit Print Scallop Purse

Oh Topshop, how I love you, I really, really do! You all know I have this weird, very strange obsession with rabbits so I had to get this purse! Strangely enough yes, I did try this jumper on but it was so itchy, there’s no way my eczema ridden skin could cope, but yes, it’s adorable! As a substitute I got this purse, and I love it!

9. Topshop ‘Saddle’ Eyeliner

Yes, more Topshop, sorry! This time it’s a huge rave for their kohl eyeliner pencils. I can’t get enough of this brown one, ‘Saddle’ and wear it pretty much every single day with my neutral palettes. It’s even overtaken use by my MAC fluidline, so praise indeed! Definitely go to the website or store and check it out for yourself, but I love it. The swatch on the website is very accurate actually.

10. Clinique High Impact Mascara

Don’t you just love it when you find a product and love it unexpectendly? Well that’s definitely what happened with this mascara. It’s actually become one of the best I’ve ever tried! It gives my lashes so much volume and coats every single lash. Love it! This is actually a little sample size but I will repurchase for sure. I’m using No.7 Exceptional Curl one at the moment, or something like that and it’s nice, but for me nowhere near as good as this.

So that’s what I’ve been loving in August! Share your favourites with me below :).

xoxo

Betsey Johnson Spring/Summer 2011 Make Up Look Inspired

2011-08-30T21:30:00.001+01:00

Products Used:

MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural

Sleek Make Up ‘Bamboo’ and ‘Kiwi Zest’ from the Mediterranean Palette (LE)

Girls Aloud Eylure Lashes, ‘Nadine’

MAC Pink Swoon Blusher

MAC Strayin’ Lipstick from the Hello Kitty Collection (LE)

Yes I know, I know, WONKY EYELASH ALERT!!! I tried to pick some photos that don’t highlight it too well but oh good grief, what was I thinking! And you know what, you may actually be thinking, ‘what am I thinking’ with this look anyway but it’s catwalk inspired lovelies! I wanted to post this ages ago but I’ve been feeling so meh lately I didn’t want to post my mug on here. However a week or two ago I decided to try this look out as summer is a great excuse to whip out the fun brights! If you do attempt this look I would highly recommend MAC’s eyeshadow called ‘Bitter’. Funnily enough, Pixiwoo created a look very similar to the one seen on the Betsey Johnson catwalk which you can see here where they used Bitter and it looks so much more intense. I used to have and love this shade but when I used it up I wasn’t feeling the £11 price (or whatever it may be now!) price to replace it as I wear more neutrals these days. One thing I would suggest with this look is eyeliner. The actual look for the show doesn’t use any, but my eyes feel so naked without it!

Anyway this is a bit of a unwearable look I know, but you can definitely wear a green shade like this with nude lips, or equally the hot pink lips with a very neutral eye. The latter is actually one of my favourite looks…who says redheads can’t wear pink eh! ;).

I definitely feel like I have lost my creative make up mojo lately. I used to be so obsessed with re-creating, and indeed creating all these crazy looks, but nowadays I’m so tired it’s all about gorgeous nudes. Tis no excuse though! It makes me really inspired to get back to my beauty blogging roots. That’s how I started my blog in 2008: with a ton of make up looks inspired by some fierce girls on Livejournal communities (stupidly deleted and re-started blog in 2009 though). Hmmm, I’m feeling kind of inspired all over again!

Anyway, I ramble, I ramble! Share your latest make up looks with me. And whilst we’re on the subject, shall I recreate the Betsey Johnson look from her Fall collection? I’m a little in love!

xoxo

A present from me to you this bank holiday…

2011-08-28T21:20:00.001+01:00

I haven’t blogged about my shop in a while because I’ve been busy crafting away, but I’m back to let you know that all this bank holiday weekend I am giving you a lovely 10% to use at my shop. All you have to do is enter ‘BANKHOLIDAY’ at checkout BUT just to let you all know that Etsy has a place at checkout for coupon codes. Don’t leave it in the notes to seller because unfortunately it won’t go through. I have a lot of people who say it hasn’t gone through, but it’s because of that. A little annoying, but I love that Etsy now does coupon codes.

In other news, I’m still not feeling 100% right now. It’s kind of normal to feel like this under my current circumstances but it’s making things like blogging difficult because I have to have a certain level of coherence and concentration. Having said that, this weekend I have made about £100 of wire headbands, so huge yay for that level of productivity! I just need to adjust now to my ‘feel better days’ and I should be on a role.

Enjoy the long bank holiday weekend if you have one, and I will be back to blogging soon :). Oh and how silly, I better leave the link for my blog. Duuuh. Tis here.

xoxo

Want to be on a wearable piece of art worn by Lady Gaga?

2011-08-26T22:00:00.001+01:00

Yes, the title does not lie, you, sat here reading this right now, could appear on a piece worn by Lady Gaga herself. Straight from the MAC Facebook page was this announcement:

THIS IS IT! Sign up NOW for your final chance to be a part of the wearable piece of art that Nicola Formichetti is creating for Lady Gaga. Visit VivaGlam.com to register and upload your picture today. The bonus? You’ll get a sneak peak of the Masterpiece before it’s revealed to the public in September! www.vivaglam.com

I just signed up today and if you click on this link you can too! http://macvivagl.am/Kd0q. Here is me all Viva Glammed!

As MAC say, ‘glamming it up is a great way to spread awareness’, and the MAC Viva Glam foundation is the most amazing charity ever, and the amount they have raised over the years is mind blowing. So if you have five minutes to spare, head to the links above and spread the word. If you have already joined, share your profiles with me and as I would love to check them all out.

xoxo

Day 9 Granada: ‘Stare a sleepy smile into a sun beam, there's nothing more than a daydream…’

2011-08-25T21:28:00.001+01:00

Dress: Topshop

Hat: H&M

Bag: New Look

Shoes: New Look

Sunglasses: Cutie Dynamite

I had a hard time picking decent photos for this outfit because there weren’t really any! It was so hot and stuffy in Granada that my Mum was less than impressed at outfit photo taking! haha. Anyway I’m wearing this yellow butterfly dress from Topshop. I got it months ago when Topshop had their amazing (and quite frankly, something they should do a lot more often!) 20% student discount and my Mum and I kind of borrow it; however she wears it more as a tunic with leggings. Everything else is the same stuff you’ve already seen, so standard.

I was expecting to fall in love with Granada but honestly I didn’t like it as much as Seville or Malaga. The Alhambra, the Moorish citadel and palace is definitely the must see of the visit and worth looking around. Like I say, I love Moorish architecture. But be warned that if you go in the summer it’s seriously exposed up there. So, so hot! It’s way too much for me, but if you’re a sun lover you would be fine. The actual city centre itself is okay, but like I said, not my favourite. Also if you decide to visit this city be warned that you will need quite a bit of Spanish to get by. I have an amazing Spanish get by guide that I didn’t part myself from the whole holiday!

And that is my whole Spanish holiday outfits wrapped up. I really hope you enjoyed seeing how I pack for my holidays, and the kind of things I wear. I had the most amazing week and a bit in this part of Spain and would highly recommend it to any of you thinking of going. Now I’m back I’ve had a bit of a break from normal outfit posts, but I’ll get back on it as soon as :), OH and yes, that is a pigeon eating paella, oh yes it is!!!

xoxo

Day 8 Malaga: ‘Coloured stained glass cathedral, confines a past that won’t let you go…’

2011-08-24T21:41:00.000+01:00

Dress: Yumi

Hat: H&M

Bag: New Look

Shoes: Miss Selfridge

Sunglasses: Cutie Dynamite

The penultimate outfit from my holiday is this gorgeous rabbit print dress from Yumi. I love it so much! You all know (or maybe not if you’re a new reader) that I have a very strange obsession with anything bunny printed! Unfortunately it’s not for sale anymore as it was part of the summer range but Yumi do very similar printed dresses so make sure you check out their website.

On this day we did the typical touristy things in Malaga. We visited the cathedral which is very beautiful, but I preferred the one in Seville. We then also visited the old Roman theatre and the palace. The weather this day was thankfully quite bearable so we managed to do a ton. I’m not well suited to a Mediterranean climate!

That’s pretty much everything I can remember about that day. Today on the other hand has been very different. I have been making little tulle hair pretties whilst watching ‘Keeping Up With The Kardashians’ season 6 because you girls got me addicted on Twitter because I never knew who they were! Then in the afternoon I had an echocardiogram so it’s all fun, fun, fun! haha. Anyway hope you enjoyed the outfit from this day in Malaga. PS: Don’t forget to enter my big summer giveaway which ends soon! Click here to enter.

xoxo

Day 7 Gibraltar: ‘Hey, hey we’re The Monkees, and people say we monkey around…’

2011-08-23T15:26:00.001+01:00

I apologise massively for how photo heavy this post is, but there were just so many camera moments on our day trip to Gibraltar that I got a bit carried away! I’m not really posting any outfit details because I’m wearing pretty much the same as I did for day two which you can look back on here, except the shoes are different. They are the Miss Selfridge jelly shoes I talked about here.

I really enjoyed my day trip in Gibraltar and I’ve always been curious to day. It really is very, very British in terms of Royal Mail post boxes, red telephone boxes, high-street shops in abundance and English looking pubs and what not, but the weather and general landscape truly makes you feel very far from home! Oh and the monkeys make it feel pretty exotic too!

From Malaga it wasn’t too long a drive, maybe an hour and a bit, and once you’ve done all the passport checks and what not, you arrive in mini England! We stopped for lunch immediately in a Wetherspoons type of pub and I was all set to order in Spanish until I remembered that I could slip back into English now! My Spanish speaking isn’t great but I can understand and talk it enough to get by fine.

If you ever go to Gibraltar you absolutely must go and explore the infamous rock where the famous Barbary Apes of Gibraltar live! You can get a cable car up, or a taxi but the first option looked so exhausting, because once you get up there it’s quite a walk still, and the taxis are notoriously very expensive. So we went with a tour company and it was about £20 per person, but that included a tour around all the sites up there like the caves etc. I would highly recommend it. And yes, the monkeys are everywhere, literally! I adore animals so I really wanted to see them, but if you’re not too keen in a very open wildlife space, it’s probably best avoided! But they are the cutest and funniest things ever, but then, aren’t all monkeys! I have literally gazillion of photos and videos of them doing such funny proper Kodak moments but I’ll leave you with the above. The one playing with the shirt was so sweet. He was swinging around on all the shirts so much the lady from the shop had to come out and battle him away with her broom! She was a bit defeated there to be honest!

I only have two more outfits from my time in Spain and then I’ll get back to doing some more ordinary OOTDs. Hope you enjoyed my little Gibraltar post, definitely go if you’re in the area! Oh and yes, there’s a Topshop! Happy, happy days! Ohhhh and one more thing. It seems the comments are working a little better for some. I unclicked ‘keep me signed in’ on something and that worked better, but it’s still not right I know, I just don’t know how to fix it!

xoxo