Jewelled Candyfloss

I love painting my nails...there’s something about having perfectly polished, glossy talons that makes you feel girly and well presented – and it can say a lot about your personality, mood or even the season. Depending on the latter two points, I often opt for pinks, reds, browns or purples, usually from the depths of the OPI colour ranges and Barry M’s cheap but wonderful offerings! All finished beautifully with Nails Inc’s base and topcoat.

But as you can see from previous posts, I can’t say no to embellished nails! Whether it’s using a glitter polish, a pearl glaze overlay or even creating patterns with alternate colours, I love a bit of nail art.

So when I came across this wheel of nail gems in Topshop with twelve different designs and over 500 diamontés (£3.50...what a bargain!), I couldn’t resist. The colours and shapes allow for an endless possibilities when it comes to decorating your nails, and combined with different polishes, you could create a new look each time.

I created a simple, ultra feminine look combining Barry M’s ‘Bright Pink’ with fushia and pastel pink gems, and here’s how...


                                                                       

                                                                           

1. Shake out a few diamontés of each colour (approx 10) and spread them out, ensuring they are sparkly side up!
2. Apply basecoat (I use Nails Inc)
3. Apply two coats of your colour of choice (I used Barry M’s ‘Bright Pink’)
4. Allow for nails to go slightly tacky for a few minutes - *in the mean time, prepare your diamonté applicator. You will need a thin stick that will be easy to hold, and some Bluetack. I created mine with an eyeliner pencil topped with a blob of Bluetack!*
5. Select your gem and lightly tap it with the ‘applicator’ so it picks it up
6. Do one nail at a time. Hover over the area you wish to place the gem and gently press down so that it transfers from Bluetack to nail. To create my design, place one fuschia pink gem at the centre base of each alternate nail, and accompany it with two pastel pinks either side (only two fit on my little finger so I used one of each)
7. If the gem falls slightly out of place when applying it, gently tease it to the correct position with your tool. Once it is in the desired place, press firmly to ensure it stays put
8. Once all gems have been applied, coat them thoroughly in top coat to secure them


 And there you have a sparkly, candyfloss inspired look! You can add your own personal touch to this (I considered glitter on mine but thought it may be a little much?). Although can you really OTT on sparkle?

What are your favourite ways to decorate your nails?

Lipstick tints

£9 You may or may not have noticed that I've changed my introductory message (on the right). It now reads 'fashion journalism graduate'! Yes that's right, I am no longer a student!! I may not technically be a graduate yet, as my graduation isn't until November - late huh? - but all assignments are complete, my lease is finished on my little flat and I'm all moved in back home! Now to find a job and enter the real grown-up world of work, mortgages, and responsibility...

But whilst I figure all that out, I have more time to blog. Yay! To start with I wanted to share with you my new found love of lipstick tints. After Topshop launched their Sister's of the New Moon Collection and unveiled Crystal - a bubblegum pink liptint flecked with glitter - I had to get my hands on it. I love the idea of it being a lipstick, but opposed to having a strong pigment colour, it is more of a nourishing gloss that adds a glimmer of pink upon application. It also reacts to each wearer's lips, creating a unique colour for everyone. It is so pretty, fun and girly - plus practical! You don't need a mirror to apply it and can treat is as a lip balm or gloss.

£7.19 (Boots are doing buy one get one half price)
With this being a limited edition item, it took me a while to find, and in the mean-time I discovered a similar alternative in Maybelline's new Popsticks. These combine gorgeous glossy finishes, a hint of colour, good quality packaging with the most delicious fruity fragrances ever!! I now have three - Pink Lollipop, Crystal Pink and Citrus Slice - and they all glide on so smoothly with a beautiful sheer finish. If you prefer a strong, noticeable lip shade then these won't be for you. But as I have fairly naturally dark lips, a light gloss or pop of colour is perfect for me! I would recommend buying them just for the smell!

Ensure to swatch these - you'll be surprised at how they come out!

Also, if you haven't been able to get hold of the now sold out Topshop liptint, Maybelline's Crystal Pink is a very close dupe! Just with an added bonus of fruity fragrance!

I've also got my first MAC lipstick shade from the SHOP MAC limited edition collection, and a Rimmel shade from the Kate Moss Spring collection coming up!

Little blue dress

What’s with the mini-heatwave October? Believe it or not I was able to wear my new capped sleeve skater dress in its full glory yesterday and not have to cover it up with a cardi or trusty barbour – the Topshop delight appreciated this muchly and deserves to be outed rather than hidden beneath my chunky knits.

I bought this dress in Milton Keynes a few weeks ago and love it! Topshop were actually doing twenty percent off for students at the time so I got it for £30.40 instead of £38 = happy, happy me!! I teamed it with this belt (the dress came with a slightly darker braided plait one), beige block tights and my tan wedges. The perfect Autumn outfit.

The whole weekend is supposed to be lovely here in the South but I will be basking in the sunshine through windows and on my lonesome as my four-day weekend is to be spent on my todd doing work work work. How thrilling!


My bestest bud created these curls for me with the Babyliss 2285U Curling Wand - it's totes amaze :)
Apart from those moments when I crave a procrastinating chat and find only text books to talk to (haven’t quite reached that point yet – the treats in the fridge seem to be suppressing it) I do rather enjoy my own company every now and then. Tonight for instance I have a phone date with my mum, yummy stuffed potatoes for dinner and a dose of DCI Banks to watch. The usual Saturday night X Factor viewing won’t be the same without the girls. Although I will be able to watch my bloody fantastic choice in films without subjecting my friends to them: High School Musical, Clueless and Raise Your Voice are all on my fancy-watching-list. Yep the only venture I’ll be making to the outside world is to the laundry room this weekend.


However next weekend it’s my turn to go home (hence the heavy work cramming now) and I’m super excited! Just to have a break from working will be nothing short of heaven – you know this whole uni shiz means you literally never get a break! Sometimes I think nine-to-fiver’s have it easy as a two-day break each week is unheard of come third year...

Do you have any plans for the sunny weather?

Think of me this weekend knee-deep in Roland Barthe’s theories, feature ideas (or lack of) and interview prep.

Update: Transitioning from S/S to A/W

With September fast approaching, the highly anticipated a/w full lines are nearing ever closer. As a sale-hater (I know it’s strange but I just can’t stand all the mess and rummaging in predominantly last years old rejects) and a winter lover (again strange but hey!) I cannot wait to walk into shops and be graced with the presence of non-sale, new season items everywhere.

But for this awkward in-between stage where we’re faced with the dilemma of dressing summery to accommodate the warm weather...unless you’re in England enjoying the heavy, unwanted rainfall that is (and I didn’t even get to wear my maxi dresses, sob!)...and suppressing cravings to adorn the new season’s delights, we are all left slightly baffled. Do we go with knits and tights to keep warm but ensure they are layered so we can easily cool down? Or stick with the floral tea dresses and squeeze as many days out of our summer wardrobe as possible?

Enter the high-street’s summer meets autumn pieces that make the transition between seasons easy and bearable. No more hiding indoors on a rainy day for lack of appropriate clothing girls! Here are just a few key pieces that I fully intend on treating myself to...after-all, there are only so many outfits you can create with leggings, jeggings and harem pants!


(Images from Topshop.com, Riverisland.com and Missselfridge.com)

From top left-bottom right (descriptions taken from websites)–
Caramel knitted twist hem top - Topshop £28
Cream bow jumper – River Island £34.99
Knitted cocoon shrug – Topshop £38
Karl print t-shirt – River Island £19.99
Long sleeve tri marl tee – Topshop £16
Dark grey peg leg turn up trousers – River Island £29.99
Black peg leg soft trousers – River Island £29.99
Tan leather shorts – River Island £59.99
Knitted bunny ear pom pom hat – River Island £12.99
Brown embossed barrel bag – River Island £79.99
Cream masculine lace up brogue shoe – River Island £24.99
Brown leather slip on loafer shoe – River Island £29.99
Brown leather ankle boots – River Island £29.99
Praline high loafer shoes – Topshop £80
Black suedette bow wedge - Miss Selfridge £50

Now I know there's a lot of shoes on this wish list and there not gonna be great for those transitional warm days or freezing evenings but I couldn't help but include them! Aren't they gorgeous? Obviously all these beauties will total up some hefty receipts so maybe I'll have to be a bit more stringent...oh the woes of being a student! However, handy birthday ideas fellow friends and family!!

Ps, How did I do with my first fashion post? Likey or no likey? Let me know and I can post more, or not...