Tartan for a fiver? Why not!

I love love love the tartan design. Timeless and beautiful it gives life to any outfit. I have loved tartan since I was a child sitting on my Nana's tartan picnic blankets and cuddling into her tartan scarves. However I have never found it that easy to pull off and its only recently when tartan made a comeback on the high street that I decided it was time to reignite my love. I came across a few tartan skirts on missguided.com which were gorgeous but then I came across a gorgeous little tartan skater style skirt for just £5 at Internationale and I was not about to turn it down!

The skirt is so versatile and you can where it day or night to achieve a gorgeous eye catching look. I have so many compliments when wearing it and people are surprised at how cheap it was! And a major plus is that its subtle enough not to feel like you stick out like a sore thumb but still grabs attention.

Here is some looks I have achieved:

Look One: Simple Black Tee

 

Look Two: Cosy with a Chunky Knit

 

 

Look Three: Girls night with a high neck blouse!

 

So there you have it, I fell in love with some bargain tartan, what little treasures have you found in the sales recently?

 

xox

Review: Ciate Sequined Manicure

If you love all things girly, sparkly and unique the Ciate Sequined Manicure kit should definitely be next on your shopping list! With the release of the Caviar Manicure last year it was difficult to believe Ciate could top their innovative design, but the Sequin Manicure is just as original and equally as stylish.

Their creative design twinkles under the disco lights and will certainly have all eyes on you on a night out. The look is quite limited as it's not one you would wear to pop to the shop! But when pulling out the stops it has become my new necessity.

Here's my step by step guide to the finished look... Be prepared for sequins everywhere...

What's in the kit?

 

Step One

Remove all traces of nail varnish and apply a coat of the Ciate Glitter Grip...

Step Two
Treating each nail individually, paint with another layer of sequin grip and then roll in the sequins. Press down to secure and wipe away the excess with the nail brush.

Step Three

Continue these stages with the rest of the nails for your finished look!

 And it's really that simple! Stunning look, only downside being that they aren't very long lasting but it is to be expected with this kind of thing! I have been asked by friends when telling them about my manicure why I haven't went for cheaper similar products available. My answer: I feel Ciate is the original and the best and worth every penny of the £14 price tag. Because if your gonna do it... why not do it the best way you can?!

For other innovative kits you can buy them at Selfridges Stores or online at www.ciate.co.uk. Come back soon for my review of their velvet manicure. Until then keep on loving Ciate.

What do you think?

xox

What's in my toiletry bag?

So Valentines Weekend is coming up fast and if your lucky enough your boyfriend/husband might be whisking you away for a romantic weekend.  Unfortunately I'm not but I keep my essentials in my toiletry bag all the time so I'm never without my beauty must haves. So rather than the traditionally whats in my bag or make up bag etc. I feel its more fitting to my 'take everywhere' beauty pieces.

 

My bag itself is part of pretty pink floral Revlon gift set my Mam bought me for Christmas which also included a make up bag but I prefer to keep it all in the same place and I love the clear compartments so I can find exactly what I want when I want it.

 

Compartment One: Make Up Best Buys! 

 

Foundation: Maxfactor Colour Adapt - I have used this foundation for years and love the smoothness of it compared with other brands.

Mascara: Mac Haute and Naughty Too Black Lash - Read previous posts to see how much I love this product! (explains why theres two!)

Blusher: Benefit Dallas Plum Powder - More of a bronze colour for a sun kissed look

Barry M - I love this make for Nail polish but never tried it with make up but it has a surprisingly nice subtle pink colour.

Bronzer and Brush: 17 - Perfect for a night out with different shades to blend into the skins and a subtle hint of glitter to make you sparkle!

Eyeliner: Maxfactor - Definitely my must have beauty buy! Opens up the eyes with a long lasting bold colour.

Also No7 Eye Pencil Sharpener (best I have found)

Estee Lauder Travel Mirror (compact and pretty)

Passion Peel Off Face Mask (perfect for the morning after the night before!)

 

Compartment Two: Beauty Essentials!

Loreal Elnett Satin Hairspray - My ultimate fave! Strong hold and smells so much nicer than other brands! (also reminds me of my Nana!)

St Tropez Perfect Legs Spray - I have really sensitive skin so its rare that I can find a fake tan that doesn't irritate my skin! But this works great, instant all over effect and no awful itching!

Nivea Double Effect Deodorant - This is long lasting, great smelling and cools you down as well as keeping you protected,

Bastite Dry Shampoo - Because every girl has those bad hair days, cheap and cheerful!

Vera Wang Princess Night - I love love love the girly smell of this perfume and have you ever seen a prettier bottle? I want to show it off not hide it away!

Bourjois Magic Nail Polish Remover - For fast effective removal of those chips on the way to work!

Also Hair Gallery grips and bobbles (because I leave them everywhere!)

 

Compartment Three: This one may surprise you!

 

Combs, Combs and more Combs! Every make size and shape! Because everyone hair needs a boost with a back comb! And I always forget where I left them!

 

So what are you taking away with you for Valentines?

xox

 

Next post: Ciate Sequin Manicure Review: Prepare for glitter... everywhere!

Gel Manicures: Must Read!

So how many of you have had a gel manicure? I'm the first to admit that I prefer to do my nails at home without the hassle of going to the salon and being a student weekly manicures just isn't something I can afford. But Gel Manicures is where I make an exception! Certainly a luxury but one everyone girl should try at least once. I cant guarantee you won't fall in love and want them all the time though!

Gel manicure are designed to treat the nail underneath and help maintain healthy nails and encourage growth. In my experience finger nails last about a week to 10 days (perfect for going on holiday without having to worry about chipped nails) and toe nails can last up to a month! A mega plus is that they dry instantly and don't chip so theres no chance of chipping your nails on the way out the salon.

So I thought I would share with you some of the designs I have had previously, of course being me I like to be a bit adventurous with design but simple colour looks amazing all the same.

 

If your if the Newcastle area get in touch and I'll give you the details of the girl who does my nails! Her name is Ashli (shes my cousin but I'm so not biased as the proof is in the picture!) and her prices are really reasonable and she works from home!

 

Go get your manicures!

xox

One Skirt Day to Night!

Featuring: Lavish Alice Black Studded Pleated Leather Look Skater Skirt £24

So after searching all over for a nice leather skirt for months, I found this gorgeous Studded Leatherette Skirt on Lavish Alice and instantly fell in love. In the past few months Lavish Alice has became one of my favourite online fashion retailers as they always have gorgeous unique pieces at a good price and my items have always arrived within days of ordering which is always a massive plus!

The skirt is so versatile so I thought I would share with you just some of the looks I have come up with. Obviously my photo taking skills leave much to be desired and unfortunately I don't have a photographer following me around but you get the idea...

 Look One: Double Leather! Controversial but I love it! The look on the left is teamed with a basic Topshop Crop, H&M Necklace and Kardashian Kollection Leather Jacket. The look on the right is teamed with Kardashian Kollection jacket and bag, River Island high tops and scarf.

 Look two: This is my favourite way to dress up a winter woolly. This look works perfect with the jumper tucked in or left loose and is cute and girly while nice and snug! Jumper is Dorothy Perkins!

Look Three: This is my night time look! This dress is perfect for a night out and on this occasion I used it to cover the bottom half of my Missguided Dress that was a little bit too short for my liking! I love this look because I had seen the dress on other girls and I enjoyed putting my own twist on it!

 

Everyone should go to www.lavishalice.com for some more great pieces!

 

Upcoming posts: Ciate Sequin Manicure and Ciate Velvet Manicure review!