mani monday #1 summer leopard print

Models Own x Hedkandi Beach Party and Models Own Sophies' Pink

The weathers been amazing in the UK this weekend, so hot and sunny! So, I thought I'd try out my first leopard print nails in the two bright summery colours I picked up. I'm quite pleased with the result for a first attempt - I really want to get the white nail art pen to try some pastel nail art too.

I'm taking part in Mani Monday this week over at Glitter and Gloss

# 10 little secrets

1. What is one beauty product that makes you feel a million dollars?


Perfume - wearing your favourite fragrance can just give you a bit of a boost on an off day I think.


2. What is your skincare secret? A passed down skincare tip?


I love using face masks, my skin feels so nice after using them. I've been using the Lush Cosmetic Catastrophe at the moment - smells of blueberries, so good! I want to try some of the other ones now!

3. Share your haircare secret.


Dry shampoo - for days when I just can't be bothered.. ha.

4. What is your biggest diet rule?

To not follow diets... I just try and eat healthily and allow myself treats occasionally.


5. Any workout tips?

Haha.. working out isn't my strong point! I do enjoy swimming though which is a good form of exersise.

6. What perfume is your secret weapon?


I really like summery scents at the moment like Daisy Eau So Fresh and Rihanna's Reb'l Fleur smells amazing -really coconut-ty. A sexy fragrance has to be Fergie's Outspoken, it smells like iced berries and black leather ;)

7. A piece of clothing that turns heads.


Just something I feel confident in I think, maybe shorts or a pretty little dress.


8. What is your most treasured piece of jewellery? 


The necklace my boyfriend got me while he was on holiday in America. <3


9. Who is your style crush?


Oh gosh, I have lots! I love Rihanna's style when it's more laid-back and off-duty and Zooey Deschanel always looks amazing in what ever she wears. But yeah, I really love quite pared back style, like boots and a slouchy sweater nothing that looks too "done".


And Carrie Bradshaw obvs as a SATC addict... that girl can wear anything and look amazing IMO.


10. Tell us something we don't know about you.


I used to play the clarinet and the saxaphone at school... I wasn't very good though!

I took part in Mind Block Monday this week over at After 9 to 5!

lush happy blooming

Happy Blooming Luxury Bath Melt: £3.85 from Lush

Now, I must admit that bath melts aren't my favourite Lush products - I much prefer the bubble bars or bath bombs that produce bubbles or fizz around the bath, but I just had to pick up this one. It smells delicious! Like marzipan and cherry bakewells. Yummeh!

I quite liked that it is divided into 3 sections - so you can just snap off however many sections you want to use and pop them in the bath. As you can see, I used one, but I didn't find the scent strong enough for my liking, but I do like really strong scents in the bath, so that might just be me! I think I'll use two next time though.

If you're a big fan of bath melts and like sweet, marzipan smells, then I would recommend this. At £3.85 though it works out a bit pricey if you use more than one section per bath.

Have you tried this? What is your favourite Lush bath product?

current trend crush: mermaid

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Currently I'm really liking the Mermaid trend; the combination of metallics and aqua colours are just so pretty and great for both the spring and summer.

Topshop have some great picks; this metallic top and shorts combination remind me so much of the Louis Vuitton show, really girlie and fresh and I'm going to have to pick up that nail polish in Cosmic Karma, a perfect metallic ocean blue.

I'm also loving this Lipsy necklace for just a nod to the trend, it looks really luxe and I think it's a steal at £14... so tempted!

Are you crushing on the aquatic look too?

may wish list #1

It's been a while since I've done a wish list, money is a bit tight at the moment! That hasn't stopped me lusting after certain items though...

1. I've spotted a fair few bloggers wearing this Zara Leopard shirt and I think it looks lovely to pop on with jeans or leggings for a bit of a smart/ casual outfit.

2. Swatches of these new Nails Inc Sprinkles polishes look so cool. I want them all! They look pretty unique to other polishes on the market I think. Can't wait to try them.

3. Total lust item. I love boots and studs, so these Topshop ones look a dream.

4. After lusting after a UD Naked Palette for a fair while I've seen a few good reviews of Stila's In The Light palette, which looks pretty similar for a little bit less. So, I'm pretty tempted to get this instead when I can afford it.

What do you think of my little wish list? Do you have the same items on your lust list currently?

I was inspired to write this post by Mind Block Monday on After Nine To Five. This weeks topic is Picture Posts, check it out there is some great ideas on there!

utopia mix

Just wanted to show how lovely Ibiza Mix looks layered over Models Own Utopia! I think it looks just perfect for spring, so cute. Kind of reminds me of the new Nails Inc Sprinkles polishes.. what do you think?

 xx

graduate fashion: toni stott

 Reading the new issue of Company, Toni Stott's amazing collection just jumped right out of the page at me and struck me instantly as something that was just my style and I would most definitely wear. Her work was featured as part of an article showcasing recent fashion graduates and their search for 8 graduates to guest-edit their October issue, which I think is a great way to support fresh talent and I'm looking forward to reading.

 The collection is described as an "off-duty modern-day ballerina" look and that's why I love it; all the pieces are very feminine, yet at the same time look so wearable and effortlessly chic. I'm really digging the floaty fabrics, soft colour palette and sportswear influences.

What do you think of the latest issue of Company and Toni's collection?

xx

models own x hedkandi disco heaven

Disco Heaven; a pretty gold glitter with little flecks of blue. I just had to get both of the glitters from the Hedkandi collection!

Thought that all gold nails would be a bit much for me though, so I painted my ring fingers with Disco Heaven and the rest with Models Own Utopia. I really like these two polishes together. Think it would look lovely over bright polishes for the summer too.

xx

models own x hed kandi ibiza mix

Models Own x Hedkandi Ibiza Mix: £5 from Boots

So, I got my mitts on Ibiza Mix - possibly the most-blogged about nail polish of the moment, with good reason in my opinion! #mustbelove

This is the one that struck me as a must-have from the Models Own x Hedkandi collection. It has larger hexagon shaped glitter and smaller glitter in an array of colours including; blue, pink, gold, sea-foam and lilac, suspended in clear polish. Looks amazing in the bottle, but even better on the nails. It took about two generous coats to achieve this effect, but I did find it applied better if you dab it on, rather than brush strokes and was a little runny. Apart from that application was fine.

After lusting after this polish for so long, I'm so glad I got it! Might try layering a white or nude like Models Own Utopia underneath next time.

Have you tried this polish? Did you love it too?

xx

cosmo blog awards 2012

If any of you lovelies enjoy reading my posts and would like to nominate my blog for Best New Beauty Blogger in this years Cosmopolitan Blog Awards that would be amazing!! I think awards from established magazines like this are great for bloggers.

Head to http://www.cosmopolitan.co.uk/blogs/cosmo-blog-awards-2012/cosmo-blog-awards-2012_nominate if you fancy nominating your favourite blogs in the various categories.

xx

lush twilight bath bomb

Twilight bath bomb: £3.15 each

So... I treated myself to a couple of bath things from my local Lush store the other day, including the Twilight bath bomb, and I have to say I am really really impressed, I am so glad that I picked it up.

According to the Lush website: "If you are struggling to sleep, then this is perfect for using in the evenings. With lavender oil for when you need a bit of extra help to wind down.

We’ve added visuals to this bath to help your mind let go and embrace the night time. Twilight dissolves to create a growing sunset that gradually gets darker until you are finally left with the glimmer of stars.

 To round off the night-embracing effects of this experience, the fragrance is based around the comforting smell of a malty night-time drink

With lavender and tonka oils at the heart, there are also notes of caramel and malt to enhance a sense of comfort and reassurance."

Now I was pretty stressed out when I got into my bath and I do actually feel a lot more relaxed and chilled out after using this, it hasn't made me sleepy as such but I think it probably would if I were to use it just before bedtime. It is a pretty one too, starting off with a white and pink foam and then turns the water an indigo blue, like the dusk sky with lots of little pieces of iridescent glitter. I loved swilling the water round and watching the glitter catch the light; like twinkling stars. Very cool!

This has to be my favourite Lush product that I have tried so far (just beating Mr Butterball). As well as being visually impressive, it smells amazing too. It wasn't too strong, which is good and I could definitely smell a malty drink and gingerbread-type scent which was lovely. And afterwards my skin smelt like vanilla and caramel... delicious!

xx

fragrance favourites: harajuku lovers baby

So, I thought I'd do a little series of posts on my favourite scents...

 This fragrance has to be my favourite at the moment; it's from Gwen Stefani's Harajuku Lovers collection of scents and it's called Baby. Firstly, how freakin' cute is the bottle?!? The little doll has pastel pink pigtails!! I'm such a sucker for anything pink and girlie, but that aside it's a really lovely scent.

Baby is described as a vanilla floral, although I can't personally smell floral, but the vanilla smell is definitely there along with a light baby powder smell. I love anything that smells of vanilla, so if you love vanilla too, I would definitely recommend this.

xx