Confessions of a Shopaholic Tag!

Hello all,

The lovely Kate of Kasha Zee tagged me in the 'Shopaholic Tag' so I thought I would respond. 

Honestly, I'm not a huge shopper. As an intern and freelancer, my income fluctuates so I have to really prioritize when it comes to fashion and beauty. However, I think I do a fairly decent amount of shopping so read on to see my confessions...

1. Would you consider yourself a shopaholic?

I would consider myself a 'window-shopaholic'. I love to go shopping, trying on clothes etc, but I am very restrained and hardly ever buy anything unless I love it, it's a good price for what it is, or wait until it's in the sale!

2. How would you classify your style?

I couldn't fit into one catagory as I change my style. I love Victorian, 20s, 40s, 50s and 60s fashion so often incorporate 'vintage' into my style. I also love monochrome, in face a large proportion of my wardrobe is black or white. For this reason, I am drawn to Parisian style, simplistic, yet always elegant. I also love Carine Roitfelt's style, as shes got the Parisian elegance with the rock chick, smokey-eye edge. I do love gothic, 'rock-chick' style too.

3. What store can you not leave without buying at least one thing?

As I've said, I'm pretty good at restraining myself from buying things. However, TopShop is always the biggest temptation!

4. Where do you find the best deals?

I love markets, such as Portobello and Camden for deals. I've improved my bartering skills so have managed to get some great deals!

5. What designer are you willing to splurge for?

I recently bought a Mulberry bag at Bicester Village, it was heavily discounted and I got a classic colour so it won't go out of fashion. I also have some Vivienne Westwood accessories so she is another designer I think is worth the money. Of course, a timeless Chanel 2.55 is and probably will always be on my wishlist, but it is SO expensive that I couldn't justify it. Also an Alexander McQueen scarf is on there too, and Charlotte Olympia Kitty Pumps!

6. Do you have a go to shopping outfit?

Flat shoes are my only requirement! Layers are also good, so a vest,cardigan and blazer combo are great as shops and especially sales can get very hot and stuffy!

7. What is your guilty pleasure? (Not including make-up).

Monochrome or skulls!

8. What is one staple clothing piece you can't live without?

Just one? Maybe a classic LBD.

9. What is a trend you hope never goes out of style?

I'm generally not a follower of trends, but I do like romantic goth.

10. What trend do you love that passed way too quickly?

Again, I'm not really a follower of fashion trends.

11. Who is your fashion icon?

I wouldn't say icon's as I would never copy, or buy something because 'It's SO [insert name here]' but as I said previously, Carine Roitfeld but also Alexa Chung, Lana Del Rey, Paloma Faith, Miranda Kerr and the Olsen twins all have great style.

12. What trend can you absolutely not stand?

I think grunge has been to 'fashion-ised'. I loved that grunge was raw and about not having money to spend on clothes, so you wore your Dads checked shirt, or your jeans were ripped because they were old. Now people pay loads to get this look. I love the grunge style, but how it was done in the 90s, not so much now.

I hope you enjoyed reading my confessions! I am tagging anyone who reads this to do this tag! Please put yours response in the comments and I would love to read yours!

Summer Series: Barcelona Beach

Hello all

Welcome to my new Summer Series. It looks like I won't be having a summer holiday, as its far cheaper to go out of season! However, to ease the pain of the inevitable smiling summer holiday photos, I thought I would create the 'Summer Series'. I will be putting together outfits that I would wear at different holiday venues. They won't be everyone's style but they are what I would wear to these places. Expect to see beach, city breaks and maybe the odd clubbing venue thrown in!

First off, Barcelona Beach!

I'm planning to go to Barcelona later this year,as its the perfect combination of beach and city break.

Clockwise from top left: Topshop Lip Bullet in Rockabilly | Topshop Bikini top and high waisted bottoms | Smashbox BB Cream with SPF 35 | Converse in Red | New Look Cat Eye Sunglasses | H&M Skater Dress

I tried on this bikini recently and oh my it is flattering! I felt like a 50s pin up, not sure I looked like one, but feeling it was good enough for me! Keeping with the fifties feeling, I would add some cat eye sunglasses and a slick of red lipstick. I had to include something with skulls, of course, so this light H&M skater dress is perfect. I don't particularly like my feet, or sand, so sandals aren't my best friend. These Converse are more streamlined and lighter, so more feminine so I would definitely wear them to the beach. I would suggest getting a size or half size bigger as for me these came up quite small.

I have previously stressed the importance of SPF, and on holiday it's even more important. I don't tend to wear face products on holiday, although eyeliner and lipstick are musts! This BB cream is light enough in colour and texture and has one of the highest SPF numbers for a BB cream.

I hope you liked this new series! Look out for more Summer Series destinations!

 

National Kissing Day: My Tips for Kissable Lips!

Hello all!

Mwah Mwah Darlings! Today is 'National Kissing Day', and to celebrate (apart from planting several big kisses on my half-sleep 'no-a-morning-person' boyfriend this morning) I though I would share with you my secret to soft lips.

I suffer with incredibly dry and cracked lips. Previously, any lipstick I would wear, would sink straight into these cracks and result in really uneven coverage. That was until 'Lush Lip Scrub' came into my life and became a perminent feature of my beauty routine. I have the flavour 'Bubblegum', which smells delicious and looks great amongst my beauty products too. I have always loved Lush's ethos and love of using natural, organic and often vegan ingredients in their products. The simple mixture of sugar and essential oils in the lip scrub means that it gently exfoliates and clears the dead skin on your lips, leaving them so soft and smooth. 

So now I have the softest lips possible. As a serial red lipstick wearer, kissing becomes a problem! Lip Stains are really great as they last and modern formula's are anti-drying. Some lip stains have quite a glossy finish, which I really don't like. I am definitely a matte girl, which doesn't really bode well for someone with dry lips, but I am stubborn and I know what I like! I love Benefit's Benetint for a soft pinky-red stain (just remember to screw the lip on well. When they call it a stain, they really mean it! Just ask my previous makeup bag....) If you don't want to spulrge on Benetint, MeMeMe Pussycat Cheek + Lip Stain is a great cheap alternative.

Other lip essential for me are Carmex Cherry Lip Balm and Blistex Raspberry Lemonade Blast. I love the tingling sensation they both give. It's like you can actually feel it working! The cherry scent of the former is lovely, and the latter is a beauty top given to me by the lovely makeup artist Florrie White, who suggested using original Blistex, but being the princess that I am, I sourced out the Raspberry Lemonade scent and it is lovely! Having a tube of either of these with you is definitely a must!

So there you are! My Tips for Kissable Lips!

You can also read my full beauty feature on National Kissing Day on Your Coffee Break here

Manicure Monday- Chanel Manicure!

Hello lovelies!

Last week I was lucky enough to get a manicure at the Chanel Boutique in Covent Garden, and it was so lovely.

I went in with a diy manicure (I attempted to do the matte black with shiney tips manicure. I will post how I did so once I have practices a few more times- watch out for future Manicure Monday!) and the nail technician flat out refused to just do a black colour. I tend to play safe in the nail department, mostly using the shades from the '5 Nail Shades Everyone Should Own' post I did recently. So I let her convince me to do something slightly different.

Here is the finished mani

I know, I know. It's still neutral and black, but it is interesting and different for me!

The base colour is Frenzy and the black detailing was achieved with a nail art pen. I love that it was eye-catching but also went with everything I wore. Frenzy is the perfect nude for me, as it is less yellow/peach than Chanel beige, but not too greige. 

I was gifted with Chanel base and top coats, which I can't wait to try out!

I'm also looking at buying the Topshop nail art brush kit to be a bit more creative with my Manicure Monday's! Has anyone used them?

I am really enjoying focusing more on beauty blogging, does anyone have any advice as I am new to this?!

 

#RedLippyProject- Red Lipsticks For All Budgets!

Hello all

From the 9th-15th June, it is Cervical Cancer Awareness Week.To gain this awareness the concept of #redlippyproject was announced- everyone was to rock their red lips using the hashtag to gain attention and remind people how important it is to get checked.

As a fond wearer of red lipstick, this idea and concept was perfect, combining charity effort with cosmetics. I rocked a red lip most days this week (which was surprisingly easy. I didn't realize I had so many!) so I thought I would bring you my 3 favourites, but in my usual way, supplying you with a Save, Spend & Splurge option!

SAVE Rimmel Kate Moss Matte in 'Kiss of Life' - £5.49

SPEND MAC Retro Matte in 'Ruby Woo'- £14

SPULRGE Chanel Rouge Allure in 'Passion' - £25

Kate Moss' lipstick collections for drugstore brand Rimmel are a firm favourite in my lipstick collection. Great pigmentation at such a good price, you just can't go wrong! Although there is a range of colour to choose from, in both the Lasting Finish and Matte collections, I think the reds of both collections champion. 'Kiss of Life' is a punchy, bright red with a matte finish, but not drying.

MAC lipsticks are a go-to for me, they are my most reached for amongst my collection. My favourite formula is definitely matte, however this retro matte is great too. If you are prone to dry lips, definitely use a rich lipbalm underneath as it tends to be quite drying. 'Ruby Woo' is a bright, blue toned red, great for my pink tinged skin. It's a cult classic and will definitely last all day.

Oh, Chanel! I have only recently began to use Chanel makeup, and I am no dissapointed with the quality or colour pay off.  The price is quite a lot for make up, but if you want to treat yourself or a loved one, definitely head to the Chanel counter! Although they do not have a matte collection, the Rouge Allure are extremely moisturising, great for my dry lips! The whole lipstick is luxurious, from the gold packaging to the luscious texture. 'Passion' is my favourite for a bright bold red. I was lucky enough to get my make up done by Florrie White at the Chanel Make up Boutique in Covent Garden this week and she used 'Passion' on me, and I honestly didn't need to reapply once.

I hope you all rocked your red lips this week for #RedLippyProject! I think it's a great idea and I really enjoyed having a reason to wear all my red lipsticks!

House of Halos Bloggers Event

Hello all (again)!

Two posts in one day? Well alright then! On Tuesday evening I went to The Penthouse, Leicester Square for the House Of Halos blogger event. I've been to this venue before, albeit for a less sophisticated night out, but seeing it in the daylight meant I got to see that it was really nicely decorated and very classy. The panoramic views of London are also beautiful, especially now it's staying light later. 

This was my first 'Bloggers Love' event, and it was wonderful. House of Halos is a couture millinery and jewellery brand, designed by Scottish artist Arlene Barclay, who was present at the event, rocking her tartan dress! From skull encrusted crowns to extravagant crystallized head pieces, all the works of art Arlene produces are stunning.

 

 

 Along with a catwalk showcasing the newest collection of head pieces, crowns and jewellery, we were treated to fabulous skull and rose topped cupcakes, curtsey of Cherries Cakes, Scottish Toffee linking back to Arlene's heritage and manicures from the lovely Pamper Puff Girls, it was a great way to spend a Tuesday evening!

 

 

Bloggers Love events are a great way to network and meet fellow fashion and beauty blogging enthusiasts, and & I met some wonderful people, including skull-enthusiast Millie of She Hearts The High Street and Jake from Style Journo.

 

pictures curtsey of the wonderful Millie

I had such come from work, so my outfit had to be work and event appropriate and I stuck to my usual Monochrome palette. It is so nice not to have to bring a heavy coat around too!

Blazer- Miss Selfridge | Crop top- River Island | Skirt- Internacionale | Kitty shoes - Missguided

 I want to thanks Bloggers Love for inviting me, and I'm looking forward to the event later this month!

 

Little Ghost Jewellery- Vintage Bespoke Beauty

Hello all!

Happy Friday! We've had such nice weather this week, which will apparently continue over the weekend, better get the factor 50 out.

Today I want to talk to you about a unique jewellery brand I came across this week; Little Ghost Jewellery. Finding them on twitter and following through to the website I fell in love with the jewellery immediately. I recently featured The Great Frog that has really dramatic, chunky silver pieces, which I do love. However, Little Ghost Jewellery are delicate and lovingly made from unusual vintage objects, not usually seen in jewellery.

I wanted to fully research this post so I spoke to owner and designer, Lisa, who said:

'I have always had a love of Victorian and Edwardian times and I wanted to create jewellery that combined the past yet had a unique modern feel'

I think she has most definitely succeeded. Many of the beautiful necklaces are made from antique door or cabinet hinges and locks, or cogs from clocks giving them the much sort after vintage look that many high street retailers feign in their jewellery lines.

With the name coming from an old book of poems and making old, often blackened pieces and creating bespoke jewellery, Little Ghost Jewellery combines the right amount of delicacy and size to add subtle yet eye-catching  necklaces. Another great tool Lisa has used is old typewriter keys, giving you the option to buy a personalized necklace with your initial from an authentic source, rather than a plastic copy.

You'll be able to see the brilliant branding that runs through all channels of the website and twitter, from product shots on pages of 'Wuthering Heights', to the distressed Victorian wallpaper, the whole brand echos a time gone by and vintage.

Affordable and unique, I love this jewellery brand. Knowing that it is lovingly made by someone who is passionate about creating beautiful and bespoke jewellery makes me like it even more. Also knowing that you are unlikely to see anyone else with the exact piece you are wearing is a bonus.

I will leave you with my personal favourite piece, from the Midnight Collection:

Follow Little Ghost Jewellery on Twitter @lisalittleghost or shop the jewellery online at http://littleghostjewellery.co.uk and find your little piece of vintage treasure!

 

Great Fashion PR Books: 'If You Have to Cry, Go Outside: And Other Things Your Mother Never Told You' by Kelly Cutrone

Hello all!

I've thought about doing a 'Great Fashion PR Books' guide/review on my blog for a while, ever since reading some really helpful book reviews on Girl With A Banjo and Banjo PR. Breaking into the world of Fashion/Beauty PR can be hard, even more so if you go it alone without university like I have.

There are a number of great books out there to help and guide you on your path to becoming an amazing Fashion PR girl, so as I read quite a few anyway, I thought why not share my views on them to help other people?

First up, I recently read ''If You Have to Cry, Go Outside: And Other Things Your Mother Never Told You' by Kelly Cutrone, which is autobiographical but also full of great, honest advice for PR girls. Famed for her brutally honest and often blunt approach to Fashion PR, this book was inspirational. 

Taking you along with her on the journey of how she came from small town Syracuse to kick-ass New York Fashion PR girl and owner of 'People's Revolution' with clients such as Vivienne Westwood, it is truly amazing to hear about her career and life highs and lows. Speaking with a wealth of experience told through her life story, she gives readers vital pieces of advice throughout not only about how to become a great fashion worker but also how to be happy in yourself and be at one with the Universal Mother. Hearing how deeply spiritual she is is really inspirational, and for me made me want to 'find myself' and the Divine Goddess that is in all of us. This spirituality might put some off, but I think religion and spirituality scares people who aren't willing to accept the idea of something bigger and more meaningful than themselves (or in some cases shoes!)

I was incredibly honoured to be able to interview Kelly Cutrone for my work, and to be honest, although my career is only just started, it will be incredibly hard to top that in terms of achievements! You can read the interview on Your Coffee Break.

This book is great for anyone aspiring to work in the fashion industry, as it gives honest advice that is really helpful. Since reading it, I've tried to follow some of these and so far I've seen great results. 

Do not read this expecting to hear all about 'The Hills' or 'The City', or if you want to hear how glamorous the fashion world is. 

Do read this if you want great advice from one of the most influential women on Fashion PR.

I am about a third of the way through her second book, so look out for the review of that coming soon! I will also be featuring books such as 'Will Work For Shoes' & 'Ready to Launch: The PR Couture Guide to Breaking into Fashion PR' so stay tuned!

The Importance of Sun Protection

Hello all!

As Summer finally appears to be here, I wanted to do a post stressing the importance of protecting your skin from the sun. I am incredibly pale & use factor 50 even in England. We are all told of the dangers of sun exposure to the skin & most do wear sun protection whilst on holiday. but many neglect this when at home.

You can still burn & damage your skin in England!

Although adding sun cream to your daily routine may seem a hassle, having fresh & youthful skin definitely outweighs a few extra minutes in the morning! Loads of moisturisers, BB creams and foundations have SPF, UVA and/or UVB protection in them, which makes protecting your skin even simpler. 

Best moisturisers & BB cream's with SPF:

SAVE Rimmel BB Cream SPF 25, in Light, £6.99

SPEND MAC Studio Moisture Tint SPF 15 in Light, £21

SPLURGE Smashbox Camera Ready BB Cream SPF 35 in Fair, £27 

Best foundations with SPF:

SAVE Sleek Foundation Creme to Powder SPF 15 in White Rose, £7.99

SPEND MAC Mineralize Foundation SPF 15 in NW15, £26

SPLURGE Chanel VITALUMIÈRE AQUA SPF 15 in 12 Beige Rose, £32

I have found it incredibly hard to locate body moisturisers with SPF! It's mad that beauty brands stress the importance of wearing SPF on your face, why is the body neglected? With a moisturiser for pretty much everything else (firming, bronzing, anti-aging etc) I don't see why they don't include a SPF in them too! Of course sun cream is an option, and shouldn't be neglected, but the often have the typical 'sun cream' smell, so it would be nice to have it added to a lovely moisturiser. However until this is created, ensure you wear a sun cream on exposed skin.

For pale people like me, I always use a sun protection of over SPF 20, so the Rimmel and Smashbox BB Creams are great with such high protection. It is a common mistake that if you have darker skin, you do not need to wear SPF. This is so untrue. Every skin tone needs to be protected, so no matter how light or dark you are check that you are protecting yourself at some stage in your make-up routine all year round, not just for Summer!