January Sales...

The January Sales. The best sales in the sale calendar. Massive savings on a whole range of items (not just clothing, but things for the home, holidays and even cars too) means that people go slightly mad when the shops open on Boxing Day. Now, I do love shopping but I could never handle a busy shopping centre on Boxing Day. And don't get me started on the people that queue from 3am just to grab the best bargains! I'm not quite that hardcore.  

I always seem to do pretty well in the January Sales, well, and any Sale for that matter. I nearly always come away with some quality items! Friends have asked how the hell I get so lucky so, I decided to share my tips for successful Sale shopping...

- I never go shopping on Boxing Day. Boxing Day to me is having a nice lie in, eating turkey sandwiches, watching telly, and later on a night out with my girls! Going a couple of days later means that there are still bargains to be had! And the shops aren't as busy. 

- Always have an idea in mind of what you want. That way you don't spend all day aimlessly walking round shops in the hope you may find something. I'm not saying have an exact idea of what you want, just a general one. This forward thinking gives your trip some direction. 

- A lot of shops do discount things up to a whopping 75% off. When buying things with that much off always take a good look and think "is it worth it?" and most importantly, "will I wear it?". Items discounted that much are only often discounted to such an extent because shops can't sell the clothing.

- Sales are perfect opportunities to invest in good quality 'basics'. Basic items are things that will see you through season to season, and never date. I'm talking about jeans, jumpers, LBD’s, heels, coats, classic tailoring etc. Snap things like this up from the more expensive end of the High Street. Shops at the 'higher' end include places like Reiss, French Connection, Ted Baker and All Saints. You may only get a maximum of 25% - 50% at a push at these places but it's still better than paying full price!

- Always take someone with you. More importantly, make it someone you trust to tell you what looks good and what doesn't. Similarly, don't be persuaded by shop assistants who may try to tell you anything just to get you out of the changing rooms and parting with you hard earned cash! 99% of sales assistants are great and will advise, but trust me there are some that really aren't so honest. 

- Take a large brolly with you. Not so much as a rain guard but as a weapon to keep other savvy bargain hunters away from you’re soon to be purchases! ;-)

So, as I went Sale shopping today, what did I buy?

Jack Wills 'Fairdown' Gilet - £98 down to £79. 

Warehouse Cable style knitted jumper. £35 down to £25.

A close up of the jumpers detailing.

Until next time lovelies. In the meantime, happy shopping! x

Secret Santa...

The other day it was 'Secret Santa' giving at my work. Being my first one as a working woman I was a little bit unsure of what it was going to be like. Was it going to be like Uni times with slightly 'rude' pressies (you know what I mean, Ann Summers chocolate willies etc) or would be a more grown up affair? Cue my delighted surprise when I unwrapped a Sanctuary bath set! Sanctuary is of course Boot's popular bath and body cosmetics line. The distinct sweet orangey smell will perk up even the most boring of bath times. I also associate the scent with holidays and sun cream. I do happen to 'borrow' a lot of my Mum's Sanctuary products, so I'm pleased to finally have some of my own!

The set is miniature sized versions of the full sized products available on a daily basis in pretty much every Boots store. I like the gift sets you can get at Christmas. It means you can have a selection of good quality products for a fraction of the price. The full sized Sanctuary products aren't cheap in my opinion! Altogether the set contains:

• Body Lotion
• Body Scrub
• Body Wash
• Foaming Bath Soak
• Luxury Bath Float

Watch out for plenty of posts in the New Year reviewing my loot!

All that's left to say now is a big thank you to whoever had me for Secret Santa - I still haven't worked it out yet!

And, considering that I'm writing this on Christmas Eve - Merry Christmas everyone! Have a fabulous and festive time!

Much Love x  

MakeUp Masterclass...

Last weekend I did one of those things that you probably should do more often that you actually do. I cleaned my makeup bag and my makeup brushes. Modern living means that we probably don’t do this enough, but one free Saturday afternoon I decided it was time my makeup and I had a little face off (terrible pun I know).

Brushes and bags harbour dirt like you wouldn't believe. And where does all this bacteria transfer itself too? Your hands and face of course! Germs from your hands and the air all settle in Ladies' makeup bags across the country, leading to bad skin and spot breakouts. I know we all get bad skin from time to time but these can be minimised by taking proper care of your makeup brushes. We all know that you shouldn't use out of date makeup, so why let your brushes get clogged up with dead skin and other equally nasty germs?

I usually wash my brushes in either the kitchen or a bathroom. Why? Because there’s a sink and it’s easier to clean up any spillages than in a bedroom. This time I used the kitchen, so do excuse the eggs just chilling in the background :D

I started by locating my entire set of makeup brushes and washing them in warm water with shampoo (the water afterwards was a wonderful shade of brown/tan colour haha!). An inexpensive one will do the trick. (Just like the one in the photo. It also makes them smell nice after with the fruity scent - win!) 

Next, I washed my makeup bag. Again, with a clean sponge and shampoo. I left them to dry overnight on some kitchen towel. And voila, in the morning they were all clean and fresh, ready to be used again!

Clean makeup brushes are the key to good skin

Notes on makeup...

I use a sponge to apply foundation. Every couple of weeks I replace the sponge with a brand new one. Doing this prevents your pores being clogged up and of course, unsightly spots! You can buy loads of really cheap foundation sponges in places like Boots and even Asda so they can be disposable. 

Bin old makeup when you clean your makeup bag. Makeup isn't designed to be kept for ages, and like food it does have a 'sell by' date. Don't keep mascara for more than 3 months and eye shadow for more than 6. Otherwise you run the risk of getting nasty eye infections like conjunctivitis. Look at what you use and what you don't. Avoid wasting money on makeup you won't really wear, because high chances are you will end up binning it anyway. Don't ever look at a bright pink eye shadow and think "yeah I'll wear that" when you know you really won't. 

Don't keep foundation for ages either. The chemicals in it will start to condense and it will not be a pleasant experience for your skin!

Make the effort to clean your brushes on a regular basis, and in time your skin will thank you for it.

Until next time lovelies x

Hard As Nails...

The Strictly Come Dancing Edition!

I love Strictly Come Dancing. Nearly as much as I love painting my nails. Ballroom dancing has been given a modern make over with a host of sexy profession dancers, (ooooh Artem!) some spectacular costumes and clever routines. I also love Len Goodman simply because he is such a darling! This may sound really old fashioned and a bit sad, but I would absolutely love to learn how to ballroom dance! Who knows, maybe Santa will grant my wish this year? 

I associate Strictly with winter. Winter equals Christmas. And Christmas equals lots of glitz and glam. Yes, at Christmas it is the only time of the year where it is acceptable to look like a disco ball. I decided to take a little bit of glam to my nails. My latest Avon haul included this glittery top coat so I decided to experiment with colours to paint underneath it. Black sprang to mind simply because I thought it would make the glittery top coat stand out so much more than say a red or a purple. You can also buy the same top coat but in a purple or a gold colour. Too shop the collection, click here. 

I used my trusty Barry M black for the first coat. After painting my nails I left them to dry and then painted the glittery top coat on. What a difference it made! My nails sparkled and glittered, and brought a bit of a change to an otherwise simple manicure. I got a few compliments from people in work too. Let’s face it; it's always nice to have a compliment or two! Brightens up my day anyway :-)

The only thing I would say about this top coat is that it is a devil to remove! So be prepared to scrub your nails to get this polish off!

You can experiment with any colour as the first coat - it gives a nice winter sparkle up any manicure. I shall defiantly be using it again and again to make my nails glam ;)

Don't forget to also put base coat on - you don't want to stain your nails.

Until next time lovelies x

Purchase Peek...

Yes, I went shopping again. I seem to be doing a LOT of shopping for myself at the minute, but not a lot for others considering Christmas is practically round the corner! Oops.

Never fear, in true Clare style this was an absolute bargain in the sale! 

We (by 'we' I mean my Mum, Dad & Me) met some friends of ours in Manchester for some food, a catch up and a walk round the shops, not to mention a cheeky walk around the Christmas markets too! I love the markets! They are wonderful, I'd recommend for any age. Anyway, a walk round Selfridges, and a wander into Miss Selfridge (the cheaper delights on the top floor!) were I found these. They were quite well hidden actually. But the inner bargain hunter in me sniffed them out like a hairdresser snipping away at a split end. 

£20 down to £10 down to £7 is what I would call a total steal! I quickly tried them on, jumped for joy when I realised they fitted. I then proceeded to keep tight grip on them in case someone else decided to steal them. Not that they would but you never know ;)

Fun & Flirty because fashion should be fun! 

For anyone who doesn't know me all that well, leopard print, pink & bows are three of my favourite things. So to have them all nicely rolled into one is amazing. I can foresee them becoming a wardrobe staple. They will jazz up just about any outfit (nicely co-ordinated of course). 

Being flats they are also super comfy and mega easy to drive in! Result!

Until next time lovelies x

Movember...

Ahh, Movember. The month where guys up and down the country attempt to grow a moustache in aid of charity. It raises awareness of prostate cancer and other male related cancers. Don't get me wrong, I'm all for charity but I can't help but think that if we women decided to grow the hair on certain parts of our bodies for charity, the male population wouldn't be so accommodating. Not every man however can grow a beard to massively hairy proportions, and let’s face it those people who can't are funny to have a secret chuckle at. The words 'bum fluff' spring to mind. Those however, who can grow a decent 'tache can also be laughed at, simply because they look like they belong in a 70's porn movie.  I was requested by a 'tache growing work mate to write a piece on Movember, and the least I can do, (if not successfully persuade you all to bid goodbye to the slugs growing under your nose) is to give you some friendly advice on moustache care. I was also asked by a different workmate what kind of tashes women like. Well, I don't know how many of the female population out there I speak for, (however I can guesstimate at least more than half) but my personal opinion? None. I like a bit of stubble on a man, but let’s leave the Inspector Clouseau style facial hair to your Grandfather/eccentric Uncle Bob. 

No, no and NO!
 

Notes on moustaches... 

- Use a moustache comb to keep it knot and tangle free.

 - Make certain that you keep the skin under your fuzz moisturised. Having facial hair takes a lot of moisture out of your skin, and with it being winter too; this will mean even more moisture being lost. Moisturise the normal cream you use into your beard, but obviously don't forget to wipe away any excess cream. 

 - Use moustache wax to keep it styled and firmly in place. But leave the curls at the edges to the French. 

 - Make sure you keep it trimmed just above or level with the top lip-line. Anymore growth and you'll be eating it along with your morning cornflakes!

 - You can trim your ‘tache with scissors, but that requires a steady hand that most people do not possess. Ouch if you sliced yourself too! Invest in a beard and moustache trimmer instead.

 - Moustache caring items can be found in any man friendly beauty isle - look in Boots/Superdrug etc etc.

 Enjoy the rest of Movember gentlemen. Because you can bet on December 1st girlfriends will dive on you armed with a razor and shaving foam ;)

 Until next time lovelies x

Purchase Peek...

The Debenhams Mega Sale. Otherwise known as a week of shopping Mecca right before Christmas. Get ready for discounts galore on in season items! Unlike other sales at specific points in the year where only last season’s stuff is reduced, this one concentrates on discounting the 'on trend' items. Big savings can be found on coats, winter jumpers, underwear and shoes. Being a card holder I also got an extra 10% off the marked sale price. I would honestly recommend getting a Debenhams card. Its well worth it if you spend a fair bit in store, and you get perks like extra discount and getting to shop the sale a day earlier than non card holders. Think of it as like a thank you for being a loyal customer. Obviously, use the card wisely, I don't recommend racking up a huge bill of debt ;)

I myself had been toying with the idea of buying a new coat for a while, something a little different to the one I usually wear, FYI a rather business like camel coloured trench coat. In my head I pictured myself wearing a parka with a big fluffy hood. And, of course in my local store I found it. I always think it's good to have an idea beforehand of what you want to buy. This pre planning saves buying anything on spec, something you may later regret splashing out on! Ad hoc buying is a common downfall to sale shopping. My shopping experience was altogether something I've never had before. As the store was open later, I went after work accompanied by my shopping buddy, my Mother. I trust her to tell me honestly what looks good and what doesn't. Not that I need this advice but sometimes it is always nice to have a friendly face to discuss these matters with! Upon arrival we were greeted with a glass of wine (red) and a piece of cake. I'm not used to swanning round a half empty shop with wine, but I was very much enjoying this new found approach!

After discarding nearly every parka style coat in the store (some were too long, hood wasn't fluffy enough, I looked too much like a school girl) I found this one in Red Herring. It fitted well, looked nice, was cosy and wasn't too expensive - score! And, I can safely say, I love it. I wore it to work today and was lovely and toasty (no need for the excess heating in my car!) 

From £65 to £32.50

From the back detailing, to the quality of the coat and don't think I would have found something better anywhere else for that good of a price so I am very content with my purchase to say the least!

A close up of the hoods 'fluffyness' and the detail on the coat!

For all those now interested in checking out the sale, fear not, it's on till Friday. You can also shop the full collection here. 

Until next time lovelies x

Bath Time, Me Time...

After my slight blogging hiatus, I'm back! I decided to take a break after landing my first post University job. Eeek, I'm now a grown up! I think I've finally got used to the early mornings, my new surroundings and just generally having a lot less time to myself than I used to. But not that I'm complaining, I'm having a ball! 

So, in the spirit of all us '9 to 5ers' I've been thinking a lot lately about how much more precious my 'me time' is nowadays. I love a good old pamper, and I encourage everyone to take some time out to recharge and de stress - no matter how busy your life is! How you do that is of course up to you, but mine is (and of course feel free to give this a go) having a nice soak in the bath.

Now, I'm huge bath fan. I'd take a bath over a shower any day. But, sometimes a shower is inevitable, if only to save some time. Once a week, usually on a Friday night or a Sunday evening I have a nice long soak in the tub. 

Notes on bath time...

You can't possibly have a bath without bubble bath! Over the years, and after trying most makes of bubble bath, I have to say that Radox is by far the best, compared to other much cheaper counterparts that are out there. Granted, Radox probably isn't the cheapest, but it is worth the extra spend! You don't need lots of it, but yet the bubbles are nice and big, plus they last a fair while. I also have these 'bath petals' which I picked up in Ann Summers. They are rose scented flowers and every time you want to use them you pull the desired amount of petals off the flower, scatter a few in the bath, wait for them to melt into the water a little and hey presto, a lovely rose scented bath awaits. Also, perfect for all those with boyfriends/girlfriends, a great way to spice up an otherwise standard night in! ;)

You also can't pass the time in the bath without a good book (careful not to drop it however. And, yes my clumsy self has done that before! I also avoid candles for that very same reason). You can see that I finally gave into the hype and have started to read the 50 Shades Trilogy. I'm currently reading the second book, and while it's hardly a masterpiece that could rival Dickens or Jane Austin, it's still fun and not massively heavy going!

Not pictured is my cup of tea! (Not very rock and roll I know!) More often than not I take a beverage of some sort. This week it was a brew. Other weeks it's been a glass of wine, Jack Daniels and coke, Gin and lemonade... Well, you get the picture. But if you bathe on a Sunday, it will probably call for a cup of tea, not more alcohol! ;)

All that is left to say is precisely how long you soak in the bath for is totally up to you! 

The perfect relaxing night in 

Until next time lovelies x

Five of the Best...

Like most women/girls I love shoes. Pretty much all shoes, but my particular faves are heels. I always feel good when I've got a nice pair of heels on, and I think they finish off just about any outfit. Whether you are dressed up or dressed down you can always find the perfect pair of heels to go with your outfit. I can't resist online shopping, especially browsing from the comfort of my own bed for what my next purchase of heels are going to be! I've hunted high and low to find you my five best picks from the High Street (no blisters or walking required!).

 Zara - Platform Sandals with Piping 

 £29.99 now £15.99

Electric blue is such a hot colour! Whack a contrasting colour on your toes and get ready to have some fun! Plus the ankle straps mean that you'll still be steady even if you've had one too many! ;) 

  

Next - Glitter Peep Toe Court Shoes 

£32

Get ready for a sparkling version of 'Dorothy' shoes! Cute & classy these heels will go with just about any outfit. A good buy ready for winter, hello Christmas parties!

Office - Kind Bow Court Fushia Nubuck 

£70 now £32

OMG I LOVE THESE! I can't tell you all how much I'm love! The bow detailing is the cutest thing I've seen in a while and the colour is amazing; fushia pink looks great with a tan. Pair down your outfit to show these off to the maximum!

Dorothy Perkins - Coral T-Bar Platforms 

£40

I've blogged about coral before (subject matter being nails) and as I've said it before I'll say it again, coral is the shade of the moment! If you want to invest more in the trend invest in these babies. These shoes will bring any LBD or skinny jeans bang on trend.

River Island - White Point Slingback Shoes 

£50 

Black and white. Monochrome. A sexy colour combination that oozes style. I also love pointy shoes, no matter how much they may mash my poor toes up! These shoes remind me very much of a 'French Riviera' look, think white linen trousers and red lipstick.

Until next time lovelies x   

Hard As Nails...

Over the past weeks/months I seem to have been on a quest to find the perfect coral nail varnish to adorn my summer ready feet. And, I think I've found "the one" - well, at least in nail polish terms. Coral is the shade of the moment and flatters all skin tones. I found this colour by happy accident. For starters I didn't even buy it! Our Avon lady brought the newest catalogue round and my Mum actually chose this shade for herself. Cue me coming back from Uni to raid her beauty box (yes cheeky, but come on girls, we all do it?!) to find this.

Avon Nailwear Pro in 'Coral Reef'

Well, it's less flamingo pink and more of an actual coral colour. I'm sorry if that's not describing it very well but I hate nail polishes that are described as 'coral' when really they should be renamed "flamingo pink" or "salmon pink". It's a bit deceptive and you end up with yet another pinky colour. I don't need any more pink nail varnishes, I have so many!

It went on nice and smooth but it did chip a little too quickly. I don't expect pedicures to chip as quickly as manicures because toes aren't usually exposed the same as fingers (mine certainly weren't, it's been raining all week hahaha), so this did disappoint me a little. That said I am fairly impressed with it and will definitely be wearing it to the raft of birthdays I have coming up in the next couple of weeks. Hurrah to dressing up and having a great night out on the town! :D 


Until next time lovelies x      

Purchase Peek...

I thought I'd give you another insight into what I've recently bought. I've wanted some new flats for ages, something summery that will give my summer wardrobe a boost. My shopping trip started off as a mini nightmare, I went into Primark but sizes 5 were too small and size 6 were too big! I thought that I wasn't destined to find any shoes that fitted. I think that qualifies as having a Cinderella moment??! And I finally found them in H&M. I'm a H&M fan, I find the clothes trendy and affordable - plus their jeans fit me really well too, which is always a bonus! 

Anyway, I saw these flats in an array of different colours, and you can see the full spectrum here. I decided on the light pink in the end because I thought they were fun, feminine and flirty - perfect for summer! It's also going to be a challenge keeping them clean ;) Plus at £7.99 you can't really go wrong.

  

I've worn them a few times; they look great with jeans, leggings and even dresses if you don't fancy wearing heels. Flats are a wardrobe stable, and I don't think a girl can have too many!

The stitch detailing and the bow are so cute!

I'm now off to do my nails, as I'm having a night on the town tonight! Cocktails ahoy! Has anyone got any nice plans for the weekend?

P.S - I've finally got with the times, you can now follow my blog on bloglovin' :D I haven't quite worked out how to add the badge to my blog so any tips would be much appreciated! Until next time lovelies x    

Summer Ready Skin...

Now I'm a huge huge fan of Palmer's body lotion. But, as the weather gets warmer (well, for the UK I guess this is pretty warm!) I'm finding that I don't need such a heavy moisturiser. So, I went in search of a new one, something a little lighter and fresher.

And I found one - Superdrug’s own 'Cranberry & Pomegranate' body lotion. There are other flavour combinations available to buy, and you can view some of the collection here. Alternatively, visit your nearest store. That way you can smell all of them and decide which one you want! I always find that the fun part. However, at times I can be so indecisive so it can equally be a nightmare! After using the lotion for about two weeks I decided it was high time to do a review of it.

First Impressions...

I was quite impressed with the packaging, simple and clean looking. It's the kind of packaging/bottle that would look nice perched on a bedroom dressing table. There's no dispensing pump but that works for me as the bottle can be tipped upside down to get the remainder of the lotion out when it starts to come to an end.

A decent sized bottle (300ml) means good value for money

One thing I was slightly disappointed with was the fact that I don't think it smelt like cranberries or pomegranate, nor like the two had been mixed together. I thought it smelt more like summer fruits (think raspberries, strawberries and blackberries) mixed with candy floss. Don't get me wrong, I like the smell but I don't think it reflects what’s written on the packaging.

At £2.99 I can't fault the price. Beauty products don't have to be expensive, and I'm a big fan of 'beauty on a budget'. Plus, it earnt me some 'beauty card' points at the same time, so I left the store a very happy shopper indeed!

The simple and clean packaging looks very effective

After Use...


The lotion went on nice and smoothly, and was thus easy to apply. It was quite a thin consistency, but I found that was a plus. It sunk into my skin quickly and dried quickly. Great if you haven't got a lot of time in the morning! I also found that after application my skin wasn't sticky from the lotion, so it absorbs in very well.

It's also a light pink in colour - very girly!

    

The smell of the lotion is very sweet and it lingers long after you've applied it. I could smell it on me long after the original application, and I'm sure others could too! However, if you aren't a huge fan of sweet smells, especially because the smell will be covering the majority of your body, I'd say go for one of the other less sweet smelling flavour combinations.  

I've got sensitive skin and eczema, and it passed the 'initial' test. I had no reaction or flare up to it so it can be used by all skin types. 

My skin feels moisturised and I haven't had any dry patches even if I don't apply religiously every day. I'd say it’s moisturising enough for an even application every other day. 

Final Verdict...

- Despite the smell issue, overall, I'm very happy with this product. I'd definitely recommend this product if (like me) your after a change for summer! Or even a change in general. When I run out of this one, I've got my eye on the 'Plum & Red Cherry' version! 

- It gives good even coverage and keeps even the driest of skin hydrated so I'm going to give this product a well deserved 8/10.

Until next time lovelies x

Festival Fun...

With the Degree done (scary times!), what better way to celebrate that and the Jubilee Weekend than to go to a music festival?! That's exactly what I did! For my first ever festival I thought I'd start off small and go to a relative unknown one. 'OsFest' in Oswestry is in its 3rd year and offers music and fun in a fairly rural location. Razorlight headlined with other supporting acts including Hard-Fi, One Night Only, Dappy, Stooshe, Delilah, Ed Drewett, plus lots of other talented unsigned bands. Despite the rain I had a wicked time. Here are some pictures in case you're interested...

One Night Only

Razorlight

Benjamin Francis Leftwich



                     

With the festival season well underway I thought I'd give you my guide to festivals. Whether you're a seasoned pro or a festival virgin have a read...

Cosmetics  


There are no showers at festivals so before you go stock up on face wipes, baby wipes, deodorant & dry shampoo! Only bring the minimum amount of makeup products - it saves on packing & less to replace if lost/stolen. A nice hairband/headscarf works wonders too, as they hide greasy hair. It's also best before you go to practice putting hair into a bun, as this helps for the inevitable greasy hair dilemma that will at some point arise. Sunglasses are also a must, whatever the weather. They help hide a multitude of sins, mainly hangovers and tired eyes. 


Clothing


Be sure to wear lots of layers. That way you can cover up or strip off when necessary. Weather at festivals can be unpredictable to say the least. Always pack a good quality waterproof and some wellies so you stay dry and mud free should the heavens open! A good pair of cut off denim shorts are good to take as they can be worn with tights if it's cold or with bare legs if it's warm. Hoodies and t-shirts are good to take as they are layer-able items. Don't forget the obligatory band t-shirt too!

Me keeping the rain at bay

Music


Pick a festival where you like the line up, not just because it's a 'trendy' one to go to. If you prefer to go to a smaller, lesser known one because that suits your musical taste, then go for it! When you like the line up the whole experience is much more enjoyable. Camping in the rain will be much more bearable if you get to see your favourite acts perform live.    


Food & Drink


Both food and drink are very expensive once inside the festival arena. The campsites usually allow food and drink to be brought in, but if you're careful you can usually sneak some alcohol in! My friend got very good at sneaking her hip-flask in filled with vodka ;) We decided to buy food beforehand and then buy something hot once a day from the food stalls. Things like crisps, cereal bars, rice cakes & oatcakes are good to buy because they stay fresh. Also, do check with the festival organisers whether they allow glass bottles in at all. To be on the safe side buy cans or decant spirits into plastic bottles beforehand to prevent security confiscating you're paid for goods!
    
      
Whatever festival you're going to this summer, enjoy & have a blast! x
      

Purchase Peek...

After another busy few weeks I'm finally back on the blogging trail! Apologies again for my absence but the move back from Uni and starting the ball rolling for jobs have been taking up the majority of my time! In between all this I managed to squeeze in a trip to my first ever music festival (I will be blogging about that, so stay tuned if you are a first timer and need some advice!) and go shopping. But, of course!


A quick trip to Matalan a couple of weeks ago for some underwear turned into a mini spree... Why does that always happen??! Underwear aside, I spotted the most amazing blouse, in the sale, reduced to £9 - Bargain! I've been after an aztec print blouse for a while now so when I saw it I had to have it. Apologies if it isn't there anymore, but the High Street sells lots of just as good alternatives. I loved the colours in it, bold and very stand out. I also liked the 80's vibe to it. A print like this will see you through to autumn because as the weather turns colder, it will still be bang on trend.

    


In just a couple of weeks, this blouse has firmly become a wardrobe fave. It looks just as good dressed up or down. I've worn it to interviews tucked into my suit and to meet friends with black leggings for a more relaxed look. It looks great with gold jewellery and also red lipstick (red is set to be a big colour for a/w 2012), as that brings out the green in the blouse.

Until next time lovelies x

When Revision Takes Over...

Oh my days, it feels like I haven't blogged in ages! It's true, I've literally been so busy with revising and getting my final essays and presentations in, I haven't had much time to think of anything else! Oh the joys of being a final year Uni student. To all you who have exams/deadlines coming up, good luck and stay positive!!

First of all, a HUGE hello to all my new followers and a MASSIVE thank you for all the lovely comments you've been writing. I'm only a little blogger so the comments mean the world to me <3

So, in between revision and deadlines, what have I been doing..? Pampering myself of course! Let’s face it, revision is boring and tedious, but it has to be done in order for exam success. It's important to treat yourself during times like this. I'm talking food too! A nice bar of chocolate by your side makes learning easier, it does motivate you! Also a half hour off during a day of revision to relax can do you the world of good, because you come back to things much more refreshed than before. I've managed to make time for myself, try a few new products and here are the results...

Face

Last week I tried another 'Montagne Jeunesse' face mask, this time the dark chocolate smelling one (I noticed it can also be purchased in white chocolate too - I may do a 'chocolate series' and review this one too). It was divine but then again, I am a chocoholic! A super steal at just £1 too. It literally smelt like I was slapping Terry’s chocolate orange on my face, and I had to resist the urge to eat it! Most of all it cleansed & moisturised my face and even my exam worries melted away... (I'm sorry, that was a terrible pun!)

Verdict 

Can't afford a trip to Cadbury world? Try this 'dairy mask' instead! (Oh dear, these puns are getting worse!) 

Nails 

I've gone a bit mad with pastel & coral colours this week. Any coral or pastel can bring any outfit bang on trend, and these types of colours make outfits look much more summery (even if the weather isn't playing ball) and suit just about any skin tone. On darker skins they look bright and zingy yet on paler tones they stand out and give a nice contrast. To achieve the colour strength on the pictures I did have to add at least two coats.

Toes

This 'Barry M' shade in 'Mint Green' was kindly lent to me by my good friend Ruth. Trust me, she is the person to go to if you need to try a new nail varnish, with a box full of enough colours and shades to rival a Dulux colour chart. First impressions made me think of leprechauns due to it being so green, but as I got used to the colour I really do like it. It's a nice shade of green too; you don't look like you've got some gross type of advanced fungal nail infection.

Fingers

This Collection 2000 shade in 'Fruit Salad' I think is meant to look like the candy bars it's named after, well... Not quite. There's just not enough orange hue. But it is a bright corally pink, as opposed to being a more flamingo style pink. The wide brush means easy application and the 'fast dry' means it's a manicure in minutes! Two of my flatmates have borrowed this colour off me, and I quite fancied having it on too.

Until next time lovelies x

Dress To Impress...

It's that time of the year that I like to call the "glam season", whether you are at Uni, 6th Form or School there will be some occasion that requires you to dress up and have a ball! Proms, end of year balls & society dinners usually all call for a 'formal dress code' of some sorts. I've got what we call our 'May Ball' coming up (sadly my last one as a 3rd year) where we have bands playing, fairground rides etc. Truth be told, I'm so excited to get dressed up! But, what exactly do you wear for occasions like this? Here's a pick of a few of my High Street faves that look great, and most importantly, won't break the bank.

Notes on dresses...

- ALWAYS try them on. What looks good on the hanger may not look good on you & visa versa.

- Pick styles that play up your best assets. No good wearing a low cut dress if you don't like showing your cleavage. Or a short dress if you don't like showing lots of leg. Wear something that makes you feel good, not what fashion dictates you should be wearing.

- Good underwear makes all the difference. Invest in some Spanx or 'Magic Pants' as they hold you in & give you a much more streamlined silhouette.

New Look 
Black Dipped Hem Maxi Dress

£24.99

The LBD is a wardrobe staple. Wear to pretty much every occasion and look both classy and effortless. This dipped hem dress brings the LBD back on trend by giving it a Spring/Summer12 makeover.

Wear with? Red lips & matching nails for 'Old Hollywood' glamour.

H&M  

Floral Patterned Sleeveless Dress

£24.99

Floral patterned dresses are perfect for Spring/Summer! Cute & flirty means they are a sure fire way to look feminine and fresh. Make sure you team any dress this style with a belt, to nip your waist in & give you a 50's style figure. 

Wear with? Cork wedges & softy curled hair. This look is very 'English rose'. Don't overdo it with the accessories, the dress is printed enough, let it do the talking.

missguided.co.uk

Lottyn Bodycon Dress With Stud Detail

£24.99

The 'Rock Chick' look reigns again on the catwalk, this time it's been given a studded upgrade. I'm guessing this dress is super short, and shows a fair bit of skin. If you aren't so confident add some black tights.

Wear with? Sky high black platform heels or ankle boots, an on trend metal cuff & smoky eye makeup. The best results for smoky eyes are when you use grey eye shadows or really dark (almost verging on black) browns. Don't forget the liquid eyeliner too!

Dorothy Perkins
Purple Embellished Maxi Dress
£35

Floor length dresses are perfect for formal occasions. This purple will suit blondes, red heads & brunettes. The nipped in waist and panels on the dress means it will also flatter any type of figure.

Wear with? Sparkly silver peep toe heels and a matching bag. Style hair in a sleek bun or a French plait in order to best show off the dresses neckline & the subtle ruching on the shoulders.








Matalan 
Purple Peplum Dress
£16

Peplum dresses are another key trend for this season. This style of dress has been accused of suiting only slim girls, but the length of the ruffles on the waist has to be right in order to suit all types. Slim girls get a curve boost & curvy girls get some added volume. 

Wear with? Coral nails and multi coloured heels. Avoid belts that are too large, it takes attention away from the ruffles. The skinny belt pictured goes perfectly with this dress.