Best Back to School Statement Pieces

Topshop Ghost Jumper

Now we all know by now that I have a... small love of knitwear, particularly with whimsical designs (I have recently purchased an AMAZING panda jumper on ebay which I will definitely do a post on when it arrives), so this is right up my street. It's part of the new J.W. Anderson colletion from Topshop (nope, I'm not being sponsored, just got overexcited over the website today) and I think it is just beautiful! It's also hand knitted, which I think is amazing for a large chain like Topshop!

Topshop Black Mini

 

I did warn you, I got VERY excited on the website... This skirt is simply amazing; so classic and timeless, whilst not being boring. Having been out of school uniform for over a year now, I'm beginning to realise how much I miss it and I always echo the school uniform vibe in my outfits (note the navy fixation). Also have to love the pleating, which is so in right now but so hard to pull off in those tiny box pleated maxi/midi skirts. This is a much simpler, cooler way of wearing them, trust me.

Jeffrey Campbell 99 Ties - Black Suede (or any colour you want, there are HUNDREDS)

I absolutely adore these shoes with a firey passion. Not being a heels girl myself, it takes a pretty special pair to make me consider shelling out, especially the prices demanded for these puppies! I love the Lolita vibe these give off, without being too OTT or suggestive, and how they can definitely be worn as both a daytime and a nighttime shoe. These are definitely going on my Christmas list this year :)

Was just thinking that thse three pieces would be perfect for the back to school season, working as a great little outfit all together, or mixed in with other pieces to freshen up old autumn/winter clothes. 

Hope you enjoyed, 

lots of love :)

My Autumn Wishlist

Hello all,

I know it's a bit early to be thinking about Cristmas, however, I see no harm in indulging in a little fantasy list of fashion and beauty items that I would LOVE for Autumn :)

1. Red Wellies!

 

Living in the country, wellies are an autumn/winter necessity for me and I have lusted after these gorgeous Hunters for years and years; perhaps this will be the year I finally bite the bullet and buy a pair. I absolutely adore the pillarbox red of these, but the real selling point is the gorgeously flattering shape of Hunter wellies. Having inherited rather birdlike and disproportionately slender calves from my mother, wide legged boots/wellies always look absolutly ridiculous on me, and, let's face it, wellies are never the most flattering form of footwear. These however are shapely and slim fitting, and look amazing - well worth the extra money in my opinion!

2. Naked Palette

That's right... *shock horror*... I do not own the Urban Decay Naked palette! I bought the Naked 2 this year, and have subsequently fallen head over heels in love with it. As the original contains a lot more warm toned shadows, I feel like it would be perfect for autumn and winter when my pasty face needs a little help looking...well...alive.

3. Wildfox Couture Jumper

I am a self-professed jumper addict, and am really loving fine knits right now. To me, this jumper is a beautiful example of knitwear, the way it drapes on the body is just amazing! However, the hefty price tag has put me off thus far, maybe a wealthy benefactor will take pity on me and realise my need for yet another jumper to add to my collection...

4. Jo Malone Perfume - Blackberry and Bay

 

This is a beautiful, original, deep scent which I absolutely adore. I've been looking for a more grown-up fruity scent, and I think I have found the perfect one in this. It has a matching candle too which is always a bonus :)

5. And finally... The Disco Pant

These are the most beautiful trousers I have EVER seen. Not really being a jeans girl, I need to find a way to keep my legs warm in the colder months and these seem to be perfect. Bonus points for the high-waistedness and gorgeous shine! 

My Few Forays Into Nail Art...

Evening all :)

 

Now, while I am not known for my steady hand, I gave up biting my nails years ago, and have finally managed to grow something that don't resemble horrendous claws. Result of this = my first tentative attemot at nail art. This is by no means a masterclass, but I thought I would share my attempts with you! Enjoy :)

 

Cupcake Nails!

 

These adorable cupcake nails are from a tutorial by MissGlamorazzi on Youtube, who I am a huuuge fan of! For my pastel colours, left to right I used 308 Berry, 304 Mint Green, 309 Strawberry, 317 Blue Moon and 318 Peach Melba all by Barry M. To create the 'frosting' I used Topshop Nails in White. For the cherry, I used a reeeeeally old bottle of burgundy polish, so old that it no longer has a name... But any sort of red will do :)

MissGlamorazzi's Video!

Wonky Panda Faces...

Another pretty ridiculous, 'just for fun' nail look, the tiny panda faces. This was inspired by my obvious love for pandas, and several Youtube videos which I combined ideas from.

To do this, I used my Barry M base and topcoat all over all of my nails, then painted all but my two 'accent nails' with Barry M 309 Strawberry. 

Continuing with the Strawberry, on my accent nails, I painted the tips pink, leaving the rest of the nail clear. 

I then used my Topshop polish in White to pant two shapes which can only be described as 'cornerless triangles', with the top flat edge of each triange meeting the end of the pink tip on each nail.

I added the little black details with my Barry M polish NP47 - Black, and a cocktail stick! (should possibly invest in some fancier nail art tools, can anybody recommend any?)

Then just go over it all with topcoat and you're done :)

 

Galaxy Nails - Hipster or What?

 Now I'm in two minds about these, I do love the way they look, but can't seem to achieve the obvious 'galaxy' look that ther beauty gurus seem to manage, I feel like I need to explain to people what they're supposed to be?

Regardless, I like them so I'm going to tell you how to do them, WHETHER YOU LIKE IT OR NOT.

After basecoat, apply two coats (or as many as you need for opaque colour) of black nail varnish, I used Barry M's NP47-Black. 

On top of this, I sponged a light blue polish over one half of my nail, and a baby pink polish onto the other half using a ripped off corner of a make-up sponge.Make sure the black is still visible, or the effect won't be so night-skyish.

I then sponged a lilac thinly on the join between the two colours.

After letting these colours dry, I used a thin layer of my current favourite glitter nail polish (Barry M's 340-Aqua Glitter)which gave a really beautiful starry effect.

Finish with your favourite topcoat and you're done :)

Would love to know if you like this nail art post, I SUPPOSE I could do another one :P

Big Love to you all :)

 

Doll Make-Up

Photo Credit to Kit Skailes :)

 

This is a look that I created for a photoshoot with a friend inspired by blythe dolls. Now... I used FAIRLY unorthodox methods to get this effect but bear with me when I'm tellng you to put lip stain on your eyes - I must stress that this look was ONLY meant for photos, and not actual day to day wear. It did re-kindle my love of pink eyeshadow though..

A Blythe Doll...

Method:

1. Urban Decay primer potion all over lid

2. Benefit 'Big, Beautiful Eyes' palette. I used a wash of the light pink colour all over my eyelid and browbone.I then applied a TINY amount of the darkest brown to the outer C of my eye, not extending onto the lower lashline.

3.I then used a fairly heavy covering of foundation all over my face - remember thatwe want our skin to look like plastic, or at least as fake and perfect as possible.

4. Covered under eye circles and blemishes with my Collection 2000 Lasting Perfection Concealer in 01.

5. Now for the weird bit... I used a mixture of Benetint and Posietint on my Ecotools flat-topped buffing brush, which I applied in a large C shape, kind of like a contour, beginning beneath my cheekbone and ending in my eye crease. This took lots of blending, but remember to be quick because those stains set SO FAST! This is how I achieved the rounded pink glow that the dolls have.

6. To make my eyes look more wide open and scary I applied my Natural Collection white eyeliner to my waterline and tear duct area, which I then brought down onto my lower lashline and blended with my finger.

7. I then used my Collection 2000 Pump up the Volume Loud Lash Mascara in Black to heavily coat my top lashes, leaving my bottom lashes bare.

8. Finally, I used the infamous Revlon ust Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in Rendezvous on my lips, taking care to enhance my cupid's bow.  

I hope you all like this look,  know it's a pretty random use of products! Also, excuse the pictureless post, but I'm new to this and just ca't make pictures on this look good right now - I'm trying people! 

Big Love :)