Belle of the Ball

A New Mum's Beauty Essentials

2013-05-18T19:09:00.001+01:00

As a brand new mama to a gorgeous baby boy, I didn't realise that I would have practically NO time to do my make-up, especially when it's just me and him in the house. When a little man demands your attention constantly and always wants cuddles, it's very difficult to find 5 minutes (let alone my usual half an hour) to make yourself look presentable.

I know to a lot of new mums, putting on some make-up after 2 hours sleep and a loooooong day ahead may seem pointless and a waste of valuable resting time (you are meant to sleep when the baby sleeps...yeh right, when there is a million jobs to do) but I promised myself that when my baby came, I would not lose who I am, and I am someone who loves wearing make up and (attempting) to make myself look somewhat presentable.

Now I am not talking about putting on a smoky eye, a layer of foundation, a full on red lip and cheek highlighter, I am talking about the bare minimum of product to help you look more awake and gorgeous...with minimum application time. Now that Elijah has a nap in the morning, I know I have maybe an hour to myself to run around the house doing all those annoying odd jobs, brush my teeth, my hair, get dressed and put on enough make up to make me look (and feel) like my old self.

So with that being said, here are my new mum beauty and make up essentials.

Primer

A good primer will hold your make up in place for a whole day, will create a flawless base and help create a smooth overall look. I personally am loving Benefit's Porefessional at the moment. It is slightly pricey (£23) and you don't get a huge amount of product, but you don't need a lot. Squeeze a pea size amount onto (clean) fingers and smooth over your whole face (I even put some on my eyelids). This primer smooths over pores and makes them appear smaller.

BB Cream

I am not a fan of foundation. I've never used it. I get why it is such a beauty essential but I have just never been a fan of how it makes me look - it could be because I have such pale skin and such dark features, it can make me look slightly, un-me! Anyway, I used to use tinted moisturiser, but over the last few months I have been obsessed with BB Cream. In particular Garnier's BB Cream in medium. This light weight cream feels just like a moisturiser but covers flaws and evens skin tone without making it look like your wearing any make up at all. It's perfect for masking a tired mum's skin while giving you a touch of colour (plus it contains an SPF - bonus!)

Concealer

To cover up those bags under the eyes, blemishes from hormonal break outs or any red patches, a concealer is any girl's best friend. Quickly whip it out an apply for immediate skin perfection. I've been using Rimmel's Wake Me Up concealer recently, which also has an SPF and is slimline and easy to apply with a sponge application at the end of a wand. Perfect for popping into your (changing) bag for quick touch ups.

Under Eye Roll On

Another essential I can't live without at the moment. I use the Garnier Roll-On for dark circles. This little miracle worker isn't a new product, but it is a must-have for all new mums out there. With a little roller ball, you roll the product under your eye and it leaves a cooling concealer, which contains caffeine to help reduce bags, while covering them up. I apply it a few times a day!!

Cream Eyeshadow

Perhaps not an essential for everyone, but I prefer wearing a touch of colour on my eyes (to detract from the tiredness of them!). If you are going to make an eyeshadow one of your must-haves, make it a really decent cream one. The reason to go for a cream shadow is because the decent ones last all day, while providing a gorgeous pop of colour. I recommend Maybelline's 24 Hour Colour Tattoo in Immortal Charcoal (perfect for creating a smoky eye in seconds) and Benefit's Birthday Suit - a pretty neutral, which would suit any skin tone. I also recommend cream shadows because you can apply them quickly and evenly with your fingers, perfect if you only have a couple of minutes to do your make up!

Mascara

If you only have a couple of minutes to apply a dash of make up, make sure that mascara is included in your routine. There is no better product to make you look more awake, feminine and gorgeous. Mascara opens your eyes up and, when applied to the top and bottom lashes, creates a more lasting and gorgeous look, and makes your eyes look bigger and brighter. I recommend a volumising mascara, which thickens, lengthens and adds volume. I've been using Maybelline's The Rocket in black. You only need a few strokes to create thicker and longer looking lashes, and the brush makes it easy for applying to the bottom lashes too.

Moisturiser

A must have for everyone, not just new mums! A new mum's skin can be particularly prone to dehydration, especially if you are breastfeeding too. It's so important to keep your skin moisturised to keep it looking and feeling healthy and well nourished. Don't scrimp on a good moisturiser. It's important to get one, which works for your skin type and also feeds it with what it needs. I've been using since the new year Tropic Skin Revive. Easy to slip into your bag, this comes with a pump for easy application, and is so packed full of gorgeous nutrients, you only need a small amount to give you maximum benefit. I apply in the morning and evening and it really does give you a pretty glow and a more refreshed looking face. I've even convinced my sister-in-law and fellow new mum Michelle to give this a whirl, and she loves it!

Dry Shampoo

I used to wash my hair and style it every other day. Now I am lucky if I can wash it twice a week! Luckily, I've had my hair cut shorter so it's easier to style with minimum effort, but if I am going out and simply haven't had the time to wash, then dry shampoo to the rescue! I am usually a Batiste gal, but recently I have been using Tresemme's Instant Refresh dry shampoo, which removes oil and boosts volume. It really does do what it says on the tin. It's worth picking one of these up and giving your hair a spray to make it look instantly better.

Quick Drying Nail Polish

I am a nail polish addict and I wasn't going to let that obsession go when Elijah came along. What I discovered was that if I wanted to do my nails before my hubby got home (when I can pass the little man over) was that I needed a quick dry polish. Although not technically a quick dry polish, a matte finish varnish dries super quickly (normally in a few minutes) and allows you to get a gorgeous look...fast! I love Models Own Hedonist from their Hed Kandi collection - a bright neon coral, this colour is perfect for adding a pop of colour to your look. If you want a glossy finish, apply a top coat when you have the time!

So those are my new mum beauty essentials. I hope this helps any new mums out there, who might be feeling like they don't have the time to make themselves look and feel a bit like their old selves! x

Smell My Nails!

2013-05-10T11:55:00.001+01:00

L to R: Strawberry Tart, Apple Pie, Banana Split, Blueberry Muffin, Grape Juice

Well I never. Just when you think you've seen it all, along comes a product, which takes you be surprise.

One of my favourite beauty brands, Models Own, have created a brand new nail polish concept - scented varnishes! The collection is called Fruit Pastels. Remember those stickers, which, when you scratched them, they released a scent? Well, essentially that is the idea. There are 5 different colours - all pretty, feminine pastel shades (just like the collection name suggests) just perfect for summer. Soft lilac, blue, mint green, lemon and pink. All very cute. I love the names -

Before you buy, you can scratch and sniff each polish, which are named after yummy treats - Strawberry Tart, Apple Pie, Grape Juice, Blueberry Muffin and Banana Split...yum! I picked up Apple Pie - a gorgeous pale mint green and Banana Split, a soft yellow. I scratched the lid, as it suggests and low and behold I got a whiff of apple and banana.

When you apply the polish, instead of the acrid scent you usually get with nail varnish, you instead are treated to the smell of apples, bananas, strawberry, grape or blueberry...or snozeberries...I'm kidding...there's no such thing as a snozeberry ;o)

Anyway, the novelty of the scent aside, the colours are just gorgeous, right up my street. I think I'll be heading back to pick up the other three colours very soon - especially as Boots are doing buy one get one half price. Bargain!

What do you think of these scented polishes? Something you'd try? Enjoy x

Banana Split and Apple Pie

Apple Pie

Scratch and Sniff!

Flower Power!

2013-05-08T11:58:00.002+01:00

I have a new obsession!

With summer in the air, I have a sudden desire for pretty, feminine clothes - floaty dresses, pastel colours, ditsy prints and girly accessories.

Last year I bought myself a couple of floral headbands, to make my summer looks slightly more personal and free spirited. I got quite a few odd looks, but the trend suddenly spread like wild fire, and now, not only are simple floral headbands firmly in style, but massive floral crowns are rocking the high street.

Some of my favourite bloggers have embraced the trend and rock the gorgeous floral crown in many an outfit post.

What is a floral crown I hear you ask? Think a simple headband - either elastic or alice band - adorned with lots of large fabric flowers, clustered together to create a "crown" look. For me, the bigger the flower, the better! I don't really do subtle when it comes to accessories.

I've tracked down three websites, which I believe do the best examples of floral crowns. These are Crown and Glory, Rock N Rose and Dolly Bow Bow. The crowns range from about £15 to £42. They are perfect for glamming up a simple summer outfit, or as a finishing touch to a super stylish wedding outfit.

Here are a few of my favourite styles. What do you think of the floral crown trend? Will you be rocking one this summer? Enjoy x

£20 from Crown and Glory

£20 Crown and Glory

£15 from Dolly Bow Bow

£20 Crown and Glory

Sunset Nails

2013-05-03T18:43:00.003+01:00

Sunset Inspired Nails

How amazing is the weather at the moment? Winter has finally left the building and it now truly feels as if summer is on its way at long last. I know I always harp on about how much I prefer autumn and winter fashion to spring and summer, but even I am craving the warmth and sunshine now.

Inspired by the gorgeous sunset I saw the other night, I fancied doing something a bit different with my nail polish choice for the weekend. Sunset ombre effect nails! I went through my varnish collection and selected 5 colours, which could replicate a pretty British sunset. I decided to go for the warmer tones of a sunset - yellows, pinks and corals as opposed to the more tropical pinks, purples and blues.

I've decided to use a different brand for each nail, and have chosen a Barry M, Essie, Fearne Cotton, Bourjois and Mavala. Here are my colours:

Barry M Textured Effect in Station Road

Bourjois No Chips in Number 4502

Fearne in Coral

Mavala in Beirut

Essie in Tart Deco

Then I just applied the colours as they would appear chronologically during sunset - the bright yellow of the sun, fading into a soft orange, into a pinky coral, into a darker coral and finally a deeper red. I think the effect is really pretty and I might try out a tropical sunset theme next week, using my beloved lilacs, purples and pinks.

What do you think of the final look? Is it something you would try? Enjoy x

Beyonce's "Live For Now!"

2013-05-02T20:24:00.002+01:00

No I didn't manage to get tickets to Beyonce's "Mrs Carter" tour. After days of attempting to get tickets via every avenue possible, I had to finally give up my mission. It seems getting tickets to her gig was like the quest for the Holy Grail! Waaaaaaaah!!

So, to cheer me up a bit, I wanted to do a teeny post about my queen and her amazing new advert for Pepsi. Entitled "Live For Now," this fab advert showcases Bey choreographing a brand new dance routine in a room of mirrors. She isn't dancing alone though, as in each mirror is Beyonce from one of her past videos, rocking the iconic dance routines from each, and essentially, Beyonce battles herself in one epic dance off!

We see her doing the dances from the likes of Bootylicious, Single Ladies, Crazy In Love, Girls and many more. Cue a lot of costumes, slick moves and a lotta attitude!

One things for sure, this one minute advert will make you want to get up and shake your booty...as well as having a Pepsi...or maybe a Diet Coke will still win it with most of us :)

So here is the advert in its full glory. What do you think of it? Are you a fan? Enjoy x

Kristen Stewart Named World's Best Dressed Woman...WTF?!

2013-05-01T20:37:00.000+01:00

So here's a headline I thought could never come into existence...Kristen Stewart, the moody, sullen gal who has bagged one of the world's most gorgeous men, has been named "World's Best Dressed Woman" in a recent poll by Glamour magazine...queue very confused and shocked face!

The girl who never smiles beat beauties such as our very own Princess Kate, Emma Watson, Emma Stone and Taylor Swift, all of whom made the top 5. The magazine stated that she tops the list due to her "personal rock chick style." Please! Lily Allen was rocking trainers and dresses years ago!

I really don't get this. The girl doesn't even dress herself for the red carpet...a team of stylists does! If you want to see her real style, check out her pap pics...really not very impressive. Kind of dirty looking and very Avril Lavigne in her popular days...yawn! Cue the likes of Kate Middleton, Emma Stone and Alexa Chung though on their non red carpet days and you see a very different definition of personal style, that is both individual, trendy and uniquely stylish.

To further prove my point, here are a few pics of Miss Stewart...Best Dressed? Let's see shall we?

Need I say anymore?!

Benefit World Famous Neutrals

2013-04-27T19:46:00.001+01:00

Benefit World Famous Neutrals

I've been a bit under the weather recently, so my mum, being the oh so generous mum that she is, bought me a little treat from my favourite make-up haunt, Benefit, to cheer me up...and did it ever!

Benefit launched their World Famous Neutrals kit a little while ago, and I have wanted to try it out ever since, but have never got round to buying it...I always feel a bit naughty when I buy Benefit goodies for myself, I usually save them for birthday and Christmas present wish lists, as the price points are slightly on the high side.

Anyway, back to the product.

The packaging is Benefit at its best - kitsch, cute, stylish and gorgeous, with a beautiful illustration of "Eyenessa" on the front. The sweet little box opens up to reveal a set of 4 pressed eye shadows and 2 cream eye shadows, all in stunning neutral shades, ranging from barely there nude to a deeper natural brown.

"Birthday Suit" is the first cream shadow. It's a slightly nutty brown with almost a hint of plum. It glides on easily and leaves a gorgeous crease free finish. I haven't tried out the longevity of the cream shadows yet, but I have in the past and they all last well, better if you apply a primer first.

"My Two Cents" is the second cream shadow and is a more bronzy shade. Again, it has a lovely creamy consistency and glides on well.

The 4 pressed shadows are "Call My Bluff," a barely there nude, which leaves just a glimmer of natural colour, "It's Complicated," a soft pinky bronze, "Gilt-y Pleasure," a natural, subtle gold and "Kiss Me, I'm Tipsy," a beautiful plummy brown.

The kit also includes a mirror for on the go touch ups and a fold out "Tips and Tricks" guide for ideas on how to create gorgeous day and night looks.

I really love this kit, it incorporates all the things I love about Benefit, with my favourite shades of eye shadows. The best thing, these colours suit pretty much every skin colour, so it's a great treat for you or will make a fab gift.

Have you tried out this sweet little kit? What are you thoughts on Benefit make up? Enjoy x

The Intern and my-wardrobe.com

2013-04-15T11:57:00.000+01:00

Hilary Devey's new show The Intern

I was so excited to see that there is a new programme on Channel 4 starring my favourite Dragon's Den Dragon - Hilary Devey, called The Intern.

A great concept, Hilary sets up amazing internships in different industries, to give young people the chance of obtaining a coveted role in the industry that they are struggling to get in to.

As someone who interned for the best part of a year, from everywhere to fashion magazines, PR agencies, freelance stylists etc, I was really happy to hear of such a great opportunity for bright young people, who just need to be given a chance to succeed. I was even more excited when I saw that the most recent episode involved the interns being given a chance to work for one of the best online fashion websites around - mywardrobe.com.

my-wardrobe.com is actually a company I have always been interested in and inspired by. They have beautiful fashion, up and coming designers, a fresh and stylish website and an aspirational quality without being too intimidating. I was therefore really happy that the website founder, Sarah Curran was keen (if not a little sceptical at first) to give one of the bright young things a shot at proving themselves worthy of a role at the company. She said; "I expect a lot from my team and if I see potential I will give that person a role but if I don't, then I’ll be honest and I won't."

The three interns were put through their paces - one proved utterly useless (he managed to clock up a £1,400 bill at a business lunch!) by running photoshoots, entertaining top members of the fashion press, working with bitchy photographers and models etc - all things that do happen on a daily basis at a fashion company - trust me on this one.

From the start I had a soft spot for 18 year old Lisa Palmer from Essex. A very sweet girl with a lot of style and knowledge, it was clear she was lacking confidence (she admitted it was due to her body image), she reminded me a lot of myself when I first started out and I was really rooting for her to succeed. After dealing with difficult models, being left along to handle a member of the fashion press and direct an online photoshoot, she proved her worth and was rewarded with the role at my-wardrobe.com.

I really loved how my-wardrobe.com came across. They didn't sugar coat the industry but at the same time, they showed themselves to be real leaders in regards to the website, the designers they stock, their attitude and their willingness to give people a chance to succeed - many interns who start there go on to become full time members of staff.

David Worby CEO of my-wardrobe.com, said: "We have always supported internships at my-wardrobe and it’s an ideal opportunity to discover and nurture young talent."

Did you watch this episode of The Intern? Have you ever interned in the fashion industry? I'd love to hear your thoughts! Enjoy x

Lisa Palmer won the internship at my-wardrobe.com

Beyonce Covers Vogue!

2013-04-06T19:37:00.000+01:00

Yes I am doing another post about Beyonce...whatever...I love her and this one she REALLY deserves.

Not only do I think Queen Bey is the hottest woman on the planet, but evidently, the hottest fashion magazine on the planet thinks so too.

The May issue of British Vogue was released on Thursday and who is the cover star? None other than the queen of all divas herself making her British Vogue cover debut, looking amazingly spring like in cool blue tones, a blue sequin pencil skirt and a cropped stripe blue top, and flashing her incredibly toned tummy. She is so damn hot!

The whole look has come right off the Jonathan Sanders SS13 runway and Mrs. Carter pulls it off amazingly. The magazine has a whole interview with Beyonce, where she opens up about her marriage, her baby and her work life, with a few stunning photos thrown in to boot!

I love her fresh faced look and natural looking hair. Is there no look this woman can pull off? All I can say is please G-d let my belly look like that one year on. If Bey can do it, I can do it...that is my new mantra.

What do you think of this cover? Will you be picking up a copy? Enjoy x

A Shopping Haul...Not For Me!

2013-03-30T14:57:00.000Z

Elijah and I all ready for a shopping trip!

So yesterday, Darren and I took our little man out for the first time...to go shopping! We've been given so many amazing presents for Elijah from friends and family, including a whole load of gift vouchers for places such as John Lewis, Mamas and Papas, Baby Gap and M&S, so we decided it was time to treat Titch to some gorgeous new clothes...and toys...and other fun (yes, yes and essential) things.

I never thought I would have so much fun buying things for someone else, but I am now definitely a baby shopaholic! Baby boy clothes are so amazing...they are like mini man clothes, and those are the kind of things we went for. I don't like clothes that are too babyish...just because he's not big enough to fill a newborn babygrow yet does not mean that my little man shouldn't look super stylish.

We started at Jojo Maman Bebe in Temple Fortune, which is actually a sale shop...swoon!! We picked him up a couple of cute baby grows and swimming shorts for the summer, plus a breton feeding dress for mama!

Here's what I wore for our trip...this was also my first proper outing after giving birth, and it was quite overwhelming. The C section has really taken it out of me, and I've had a stinking cold all week, so I wasn't feeling my best...that and trying to adjust to a post preggo figure...bring on Zumba in 6 weeks time!

The perfect accessory!

Posing with my boy

The ultimate must-have - a Yummy Mummy bag

I went for a black maxi dress and layered over a grey marl top and checked shirt, plus my essential "Claire Belle" name necklace and peace sign necklace, topped up with the ultimate changing bag - the Yummy Mummy bag by Pink Lining. I'm obsessed with it!

After Jojo, we headed to Brent Cross and all the shops we had vouchers for. I wanted to get him outfits he could wear now, as all we have at the moment is babygrows. We got some absolutely amazing things for him, including a pair of gorgeous denim dungarees and yellow cords from Baby Gap, a fabulous hoodie and trackie bottoms outfit from Mamas and Papas, jeans and jumpers from John Lewis and my favourite - as chosen by Darren, a chambray jumpsuit from Baby Gap! Swoon!

We also picked up some toys and other bits and bobs, but, let's be honest, it's all about the clothes.

I've popped a couple of pics of the haul below, and if you look closely, you'll see Titch in the background lording it over all of his new goodies.

So there you go...a haul post, just not for me! As soon as I am back in the shopping mode for myself, I will do a haul post of my own, but for now, I am loving buying clothes for my gorgeous little man. Enjoy x

Not bad for Eli's first haul

My favourite purchase of the day - a chambray jumpsuit from Baby Gap

My Pick of the River Island Mid Season Sale

2013-03-27T17:36:00.001Z

Sharpen those elbows ladies, it's mid season sale time! If you haven't taken advantage of the mid season sales already, I've done a few "picks of the sale" posts from some of my favourite high street shops.

Even though the weather is so bloody cold out there, it's still a good idea to grab yourself some spring goodies, because, let's hope, the warm weather will be here soon, and you want to be prepared for when it does get here.

So my choice for today is my go-to for reasonably priced fast fashion - River Island. I find their sales very hit or miss, a lot of rubbish seems to be pulled out for their sales, but you can find a handful of really decent bargains. I am especially impressed by their selection of shoes in the sale this year - perfect for spring and beyond!

Here are my picks of the River Island mid season sale. Have you done any sale shopping yet? Let me know if you get any fabulous bargains! Enjoy x

was £35 now £15

was £32 now £10

was £75 now £40

was £40 now £17

was £38 now £15

Was £25 now £10

was £22 now £8

Was £50 now £25

Was £35 now £17

Was £20 now £10

was £40 now £15

Beyonce for H&M Confirmed!

2013-03-26T20:40:00.002Z

It's exciting news if you are a fan of Beyonce...or H&M...or celebrity fashion campaigns.

It has now been confirmed the Beyonce will be the face of H&M's summer campaign! Yay!

After being accidentally leaked on Twitter by one of Bey's dancers back in January, the brand have now revealed one of the gorgeous shots of the diva, which will be being featured this summer.

My favourite ever singer will be modelling pieces inspired by her individual style, in particular, beachwear and swimwear pieces. The shoot took place in the Bahamas, and features Beyonce chilling out on sun loungers and posing by the sea. According to sources at the shoot, Beyonce gave her own "personal input on the pieces used in the campaign." Expect some fierce shots if this is the case!

"I've always liked H&M's focus on fun affordable fashion. I really loved the concept we collaborated on to explore the different emotions of women represented by the four elements -fire, water, earth and wind," said Knowles. "It was a beautiful shoot on a tropical island. It felt more like making a video than a commercial."

The print advert will run alongside a television commercial, which will feature a brand new Beyonce song - Standing on the Sun.

I personally cannot wait to see all of the final images and the advert with her new song. Yes I know I am a complete push over when it comes to Mrs. Carter...but Beyonce + H&M = sheer genius!

Are you looking forward to seeing the finished campaign? Enjoy x

Introducing....

2013-03-20T12:34:00.001Z

Elijah Louie Richard Freed

Well hello there.

Apologies for my long absence. I've been a wee bit busy the last week or so...having a baby!

If you're a reader of the blog, you'll know that I was being induced on the 12th March...as I was almost 2 weeks late. I won't go into details, as it's not very nice, but I ended up having to have an emergency C section followed by 6 days in hospital due to my recovery and a couple of minor health scares with the bubs. But all is well now and we finally got home on Sunday night.

So...what did we have? Titch turned out to be a gorgeous baby boy!

He is so adorable, with a sweet little worried face and he is already full of personality. He loves playing with and sucking his hands and adores being cuddled. He was born at 06:39 am and weighed 6 pounds 11 ounces. We have called our little man Elijah Louie Richard.

I won't go on too much and be a gushing mama...although I really want to! I just wanted to fill you all in on what's been going on and to let you know I won't be blogging as frequently for the next week or two, just while I get my head around things, but normal blogging will resume soon...promise!

In the mean time, here are some pics of our little man. Enjoy x

rocking his cow suit....yes it is a little too big!!

Rainbow Fairy Cakes

2013-03-08T16:18:00.000Z

So I am now 8 days past my due date and after a visit to the hospital yesterday, we discovered that I have about a 30% chance of going into labour naturally in the next 7 - 10 days! Eek! So, I have been booked in for an induction on Tuesday morning...which means more waiting around, unless Titch decides to come on his/her own beforehand anyway :)

I wanted to do something a bit different to keep me from getting too bored today, and I actually really felt like baking something. I went online to get some inspiration and after catching up on Becky's fab blog, I decided to try her gorgeous looking rainbow fairy cakes.

I know this is a bit of a different kind of blog post for me, but I loved making these fairy cakes so much, and they turned out looking really cute (I haven't tried them yet - I thought I should wait for the hubby to get home!) so I wanted to share them and how I made them with you :) These are also great for a home made Mother's Day gift, and I'll be taking them along for dinner tonight at my parents house as an extra treat!

I first went out an bought the bits that I needed - Becky recommended a vanilla cupcake/fairy cake mix. The only vanilla mix they had left in Waitrose was a Postman Pat one! Retro! Still, for 85p, each pack made 10 fairy cakes, so I didn't complain...I just left off the Postman Pat cartoon sugar paper decorations. I also picked up 4 Dr. Oetker food colour gels in pink, blue, green and yellow, butterfly sprinkles in pretty pastel shades and some frosting for decorating.

With this fairy cake mix, you just need 1 egg per bag of mix (I used 2 lots of mixes to make extra cakes, as fairy cakes are only teeny).

I started by mixing the batter to make the cakes - it's best to use a whisk (even better an electric one) but I have yet to buy one of these, so I just used my muscles and a fork.

Once the batter is all nicely mixed, I divided it into four bowls - well, teacups actually - and I added a few drops of each food colour to each lot of batter.

I then got out my cupcake baking tray and filled them with fairy cake paper holders. I then spooned a little of each colour batter into them, creating a really pretty rainbow effect.

The batter was enough for 18 fairy cakes. Once I had spooned all the batter in, I popped the cakes in the oven at 180 degrees for about 13 minutes (I have a fan oven).

When the cakes had finished baking...they smelt delish and they looked like this:

You can see the colours pretty clearly here. Once they had cooled down completely, I then used a yummy Dr. Oetker frosting mix to decorate the tops...and to make them even more scrummy!

The final step was the decorating. I bought these very pretty pastel coloured butterfly sprinkles, as I thought they would go perfectly with the rainbow cakes, and would make them even more appropriate for Mother's Day.

So finally, I just popped on the butterflies wherever they seemed best to go! I tried not to go too over the top and keep to about 5 - 6 butterflies per fair cake.

So there you go! Thanks to Becky for providing me with a really fun idea to keep me busy and I hope they taste as good as they look. Will you be trying out this fun and yummy recipe? Enjoy x

Barry M's Gelly Hi Shine Nail Paints

2013-03-05T21:20:00.002Z

Splurge Alert!

Wow, just realised that this is my third nail polish post in three weeks! Sorry about that, obviously becoming a bit obsessed.

I am now 6 days past my due date and I need things to keep me occupied so I don't get bored out of my mind with the waiting game.

That being said, I'm using the time to read, watch movies, see friends and catch up on all of my favourite blogs. I wanted to buy myself a little something, as I haven't bought anything for myself in ages, and with spring in the air, and the fact that I can't really buy clothes at the moment, I felt that some new nail colours were in order.

After reading my usual blogs, I quickly picked up that the nail varnish du jour are the Barry M Hi Shine Gelly Nail Paint. Lily, Lily and Becky have all been raving about them, so I thought a trip up to the high street to my local Superdrug was in order. Lucky for me, there is currently a special deal on these polishes - 2 for £6 (they are usually £3.99 each)...so naturally I bought a few...5 to be precise...I missed out on number 6 because their stock was low, but I was told I can come back in with the receipt and pick up another colour as part of the deal, when they get more stock in.

These nail paints are supposedly so good because they provide a hi shine, gel like finish, which looks super shiny and lasts, chip free, for a few days more so than a regular polish.

The colours I opted for were: Satsuma, Dragon Fruit, Greenberry, Blueberry and Prickly Pear.

From left to right: Blueberry, Satsuma, Prickly Pear, Greenberry, Dragon Fruit.

Satsuma is a really gorgeous almost neon orange. In this picture, it looks more pastel then neon, but the effect is definitely bright and loud in real life.

Prickly Pear is a super pretty soft lilac. It reminds me of the colour I wore on my nails on my wedding day, but this is slightly more concentrated, and I can't wait to try it out.

Greenberry reminds me a bit of Pool Party, my favourite colour from Topshop's nail varnish range. It's a vibrant mint green with a hint of blue - perfect for spring time.

Blueberry is a gorgeous sky blue. I've painted my left hand with this shade (apart from my ring finger, which is Dragon Fruit) in anticipation of the possibility of Titch being a boy.

Finally, Dragon Fruit (as shown on my right hand in case Titch is a girl) is a pretty candy pink - a little bit brighter than the baby pink I used in my last post.

So I've used two of the Gelly paints and I was really impressed with them. They glided on easily, dried quickly and I applied two coats of each. The end result was so shiny that I didn't even have to use a topcoat.

Now the test, let's see how long they last without chipping. I'll let you know either here or on twitter so make sure you follow me - @cbelleoftheball

Have you tried the Gelly varnishes? What are your thoughts? Enjoy x

Blue vs. Pink

2013-03-01T10:01:00.001Z

After my amazing Gelish manicure experience, which I was treated to 2 weeks ago, I decided that after 2 weeks, I was ready for a change.

Even though the manicure lasts up to 3 weeks, and I had yet to have a single chip, and I adored the colour of my nails, I usually change my nail colour every week...as I am a bit nail polish obsessed and tend to buy a new shade every week!

Anyway, I took the polish off yesterday and started contemplating what colour to go for...considering Titch can arrive any day, I wanted to realistically paint my nails the colour they would be for the birth...obviously a very important decision! But what colour to go for? If I knew Titch was a boy, I would go for a gorgeous blue, navy or green. However, if I knew Titch was a girl, it would be a pretty shade of pink or lilac. But, as we have gone 40 weeks without knowing the sex, it made my decision a bit tricky.

The simple answer? Half and half! I went through my polish collection and settled on a beautiful baby blue by Nails Inc. called Sheraton Street, which I received as a Secret Santa present at Christmas and a sweet baby pink by Collection 2000 called Marshmallow, which I haven't actually used before. The end result - a pretty pastel effect, which will be perfect for welcoming in either Titch girl or Titch boy!

Nails Inc. Sheraton Street

Collection 2000 Marshmallow

Now, hopefully it won't chip before the big day! What do you reckon? Was this a good choice of colours? Enjoy x

What's it going to be?

D-Day

2013-02-28T10:59:00.000Z

Well hello!

So, today is 28th February and I am officially 40 weeks pregnant and today is my due date.

I cannot believe this day has come around at last. It was mine and Darren's 2 year wedding anniversary yesterday, and I was thoroughly spoilt by Darren. I received a beautiful bunch of Jane Packer flowers (colour co-ordinated with the flowers we had for our wedding), a Kindle Fire and was taken to one of my favourite restaurants in Crouch End.

my beautiful anniversary flowers

So, although it is the due date, there is no sign of Titch just yet. Realistically it could be another 2 weeks, but I don't think we'll be waiting that long. I can't believe 40 weeks are now complete and any day, we are going to become parents! Eek! I definitely don't feel old enough or mature enough to be a mama, but I am so excited to finally meet Titch and Darren and I can start our little family.

Sorry this is a bit of a random post and nothing to do with my usual content, but I just wanted to mark the D-Day occasion!

To make it a little more fashiony, here is what I wore for our special anniversary dinner last night. I've managed to go 40 weeks without buying maternity clothes (apart from one dress) and last night I wore a gorgeous one sleeve dress from COS, which I bought a couple of years ago, and actually looks really nice with my big bump. I teamed it with my new Claire Belle necklace (see post below) and my River Island ankle boots.

What do you think of my 40 week preggo look? x

My Name Necklace

2013-02-26T13:19:00.000Z

I just wanted to share with you my gorgeous Valentine's Day present.

I wrote a blog post at the beginning of the year (you can read it here) about a few bits I have had my eye on. Well, the hubby obviously read and took note of this particular post, because I received one of the gorgeous goodies for my Valentine's Day present.

Even though it arrived a week late (something to do with the length of my name and the thickness of the gold?!) it was so worth the wait.

I have wanted a "Claire Belle" necklace for ages - yes maybe since Carrie Bradshaw came into my life with her Carrie necklace - and I am so excited that I now have one of my very own.

Darren chose a rose gold style (extra brownie points there) and a fine chain, which makes it perfect for wearing alone or layered with other necklaces. I have been wearing it non-stop since I got it and I absolutely love it.

He got it from Mynamenecklace.co.uk so go have a look and let me know what you think. Do you like this style of necklace? Would you wear one? Enjoy

Oscars 2013 - All The Dresses

2013-02-25T11:50:00.001Z

Last night was the most highly anticipated nights for film and fashion - the 85th Annual Oscars and in case you weren't aware, I am as big a fan of film as I am of fashion...my love affair with film started from when I was pretty much a baby and I look forward to the Oscars every year - this year being one of the best Oscars for years, as there were so many fabulous films and performances over the last 12 months.

With the red carpet starting at 11:30pm UK time and the actual ceremony not starting until 1am, I was very proud of myself for being able to stay up until about 3:30am. I woke myself up early this morning to watch the last hour before I could see who won the awards for best actor/actress, director and of course best film. I was so happy that Christoph Waltz won best supporting actress for Django and Anne Hathaway bagged best supporting actress for her portrayal of Fantaine in Les Miserables.

Highlights definitely included the fabulous cast of Les Mis performing One Day More live, Jennifer Hudson singing her iconic song from Dreamgirls and Adele belting out Skyfall. Not to mention the hilarious Seth Mcfarlene as host and Daniel Radcliffe doing a very snazzy song and dance number.

But anyway, let's get to what you're probably most interested in...the dresses!

With so many beautiful ladies (and gents) in attendance, this had to be one of the most glam Oscar red carpet ever! We definitely saw a return to old school Hollywood glamour and trends emerged such as sparkling metallics, sequins, fishtail cuts, nude shades, side swept hair and bold jewellery and lips. With Darren sitting with me on the couch trying to stay awake, he helped me dissect the dresses and choose my favourites...definitely one of my highlights of the night.

So, onto my favourites...

My best dressed of the night has to go to the following leading ladies: The divine Jennifer Lawrence (such a worthy Best Actress winner). Looking utterly stunning in a Dior Couture gown and a backwards necklace, Jennifer absolutely sizzled on the red carpet. Elegant, classic, chic and basically looking like a dream in tulle, she carried the dress off so perfectly and she definitely scored a 10 out of 10 for me.

Jennifer Lawrence

I loved Jennifer Garner's sumptuous purple Gucci gown, with the stunning ruffle detail going all the way down the back. Her statement jewels (seriously, how much must that necklace have cost?!) her smoky eyes and her simple up-do set the dress off beautifully.

Jennifer Garner

Charlize Theron looked every inch a Greek goddess in a simple yet ravishing white gown, with a stylish cut-out detail at the bust and a peplum waist. I loved her pixie crop and to be honest, she is so beautiful, she could wear a sack and look fierce!

Charlize Theron

Amanda Seyfried looked incredible with her swept up hair, flawless make-up and stunning shimmering metallic gown. The classic shape, the fishtail cut, the corseted waist, the fact that it is Alexander McQueen...love it!

Amanda Seyfried

Jessica Chastain was a 1920's Hollywood starlet reborn. A deep red lip, side-swept wavy hair and a captivating light bronze, skin tight gown by Armani.

Jessica Chastain

Anne Hathaway...please keep your hair short! You look so stunning with that cropped do and your Prada dress looked perfect with it. A high-neck, simple front in a gentle oyster shade and a lot of drama on the back. A beautiful and eye-catching necklace from Tiffany and all in all a stunning look worthy of a Best Supporting Actress Oscar.

Anne Hathaway

Finally, Kerry Washington...loved you in Django Unchained, love you even more in that fabulous Miu Miu frock...amazing!

Kerry Washington

Those that got the thumbs down from me (and fellow critic Darren!) were Catherine Zeta Jones...I really didn't get her sparkly gold number...Beyonce could work this out but on Catherine, it seemed to age her and was just too busy. Also in this category for me was Zoe Saldana - so utterly beautiful but her Alexis Mabille Couture dress was so boring and plain - a pretty shade of grey but I didn't get the belt and black border detail at the bottom...just a bit yawn really. I was also disappointed with Jennifer Aniston's red Valentino number...a pretty dress but just a bit boring really - more like an elaborate prom dress than anything and there were no details or statement jewellery to set it off. Halle Berry I'm on the fence with - her sparkling, monochrome Versace number was certainly eye-catching and looked fabulous on her, but I'm not sure if it was just a bit too '80's and perhaps not 100% Oscar red carpet appropriate...but she did look beautiful...so I don't know! Finally, Reece Witherspoon - yes it was a Louis Vuitton pretty dress in a pleasing shade of blue...but it was just so boring and with a silly train...I've seen her looking so stunning so many times before, but this year...blah!

Catherine Zeta Jones

Zoe Saldana

Halle Berry

Jennifer Aniston

Reece Witherspoon

There are so many more dresses to discuss, but I could really go on all day and I've just realised how long this post is!

What did you think of the Oscars and all the dresses? Who was your stand-out? Enjoy x

Beatrix Potter Collection For Baby Gap

2013-02-17T16:02:00.000Z

This is kind of a weird post for me to do, as I have never done a post on baby related products. I kind of thought that when I became pregnant that I would not post about maternity fashion or baby clothes, as Belle of the Ball is an outlet for me to talk about my love of fashion and beauty, and I didn't want to make it a pregnancy related blog.

HOWEVER, occasionally, I have thought it would be appropriate to discuss preggo fashion and maternity collections, so I have done the odd one or two. Thus far I haven't done a baby fashion post, but I have just become obsessed with a collection and I had to tell you guys about it, as it is so cute.

I am a huge fan of Beatrix Potter - I've been in love with her books and characters ever since I was a baby girl myself - particular favourites being Mrs. Tiggwinkle (that cute hedgehog in an apron and cap), Jemima Puddleduck and of course Peter Rabbit. I've spotted lots of adorable Beatrix Potter goodies to put in Titch's room, so when I was informed that Baby Gap were doing a Beatrix Potter limited edition collection, I started jumping around in excitement.

My lovely friend Jo quickly got me this adorable grey knitted baby-grow, complete with a little Peter Rabbit face on the front, before I had even seen the full collection.

Thank you Jo

Yesterday, Darren and I went to meet some friends in Hampstead and I was determined to go to the Baby Gap on the high street and see the full collection...and maybe buy one or two bits (with two weeks to go, I think I'm entitled to finally start buying some clothes for Titch!).

Me (and Titch) at 38 weeks

We went into the shop and spotted the collection immediately. Laid out with gorgeous cut outs of Peter Rabbit, Squirrel Nutkin, Jemima Puddleduck and more, the collection was split into baby girl's, baby boy's and unisex newborn pieces. Darren was so taken aback by the baby boy stuff, that he wished they did it in grown up sizes. From sweet baby-grows with character faces, to rabbit motifs on dresses and adorable pieces of knitwear to packs of bodysuits and knitted Peter Rabbit and Jemima Puddleduck hats.

I really love this collection, and whether we have a girl or boy, I will definitely be investing in a few more pieces (or a lot more!). In the meantime, we picked up this cute sleepsuit and the Peter Rabbit knitted hat, as we thought it would work for a girl or boy.

Titch's new bits :)

Here are a few pics of the collection and the layout - what do you think? Enjoy x

A Gelish Nail Experience

2013-02-14T14:14:00.000Z

The amazing selection of Gelish nail colours

When I was contacted by the gorgeous Katie - a fabulous beauty therapist - to see if I wanted to try out a new manicure experience called Gelish, I jumped at the chance. Firstly because at 38 weeks pregnant, I am in no position to turn down a spot of pampering and secondly, because it is a manicure I haven't heard of before and I was very curious.

The lovely Katie

I had my appointment yesterday and considering I am very particular about my nails, and I love to change the colour almost weekly, I actually fell in love with this treatment.

Katie presented me with the huge selection of Gelish nail polish colours and asked me to choose my shade. This was actually really hard, as there were so many stunning colours that I fell in love with. I almost opted for one called "Bella's Vampire" (no prizes for guessing the inspiration behind this one) but in the end, I wanted something, which would make me believe that spring will soon be here, so I went for a stunning bright coral called Tiger Blossom.

For those of you who aren't familiar with what Gelish nail polish is, here is a little lowdown...

Gelish gel polish is the world's first hybrid gel hybrid gel product. It applies like a polish but has the strength of a gel. Like a gel polish, Gelish lasts between 2 - 3 weeks, so is perfect if you're going on holiday or if you want a low maintenance manicure, which will last. It is also chip free, so added bonus there! Another great benefit is that there is no drying time - once your nails are painted, you pop them under an LED light and your nails are dry in seconds! I haven't tried it yet, but to take the Gelish polish off, you need to use acetone remover, which you soak onto cotton wool, you then wrap each finger with the cotton wool and pop some tin foil over the top to seal it. Leave your nails for 10 - 15 minutes and the polish should then be able to be buffed off easily.

So there is the background behind the polish. Katie was great - she cleaned up my nails, buffed them and tidied up my cuticles, before applying the Gelish base coat and then 2 - 3 coats of the gorgeous Tiger Blossom polish. Once dry, Katie applied a top coat and I was left with stunning, super glossy coral nails. After popping them under the LED light for 10 seconds, my nails were completely dry, and I was able to rummage around in my bag, with no fear of smudging or chipping. I am officially in love with Gelish!

As an incentive to get you to try this fabulous manicure, Katie is offering £5 off your first Gelish treatment (usual price £25). Simply quote: "Belle of the Ball" when booking. To make an appointment and to check out the other treatments Katie has on offer (everything from massage, facials, spray tans and more) visit her website by clicking here.

Here are her contact details:

Email: info@katiebeauty.co.uk
Twitter: @Katie_Beauty
Facebook: www.facebook.com/katiebeauty

Have you ever tried the Gelish manicure? What did you think of it? Enjoy x

Katie prepping my nails

Tiger Blossom (middle swatch)

Katie applying the Tiger Blossom Gelish polish

The polish (excuse swollen preggo fingers)

Loving my new Gelish nails! Thanks Katie

Sister Style Off!

2013-02-11T17:30:00.000Z

What a star studded 24 hours! With the Grammys and the BAFTAs taking place last night, the red carpets were alight with fabulous gowns, beautiful stars and gorgeous tuxedos.

I'm going to do a full fashion round-up of both events, but I wanted to do a quickie post now about my favourite diva and her sister, who both rocked it out on the red carpet.

I am talking, of course, about Beyonce (really...is there any other diva worth talking about?!) and her big haired sister Solange. Both sisters looked amazing last night and so different from each other. They each have such a cool, fresh style but manage to put individual twists on their looks.

Let's look at my queen, Beyonce first. After winning a Grammy for Best Traditional R&B Performance, Beyonce looked fierce in a complementing outfit to her hubby Jay-Z. A stunning monochrome, geometric jumpsuit by b&w Osman, sparkling Swarovski clutch and Lorraine Schwartz jewellery. Her hair was sleek and elegant and with a slash of red lipstick, this woman looked every inch the superstar she is. Obsessed!

Next, her sister Solange. While Bey went for a toned down look, Solange opted for pure glitz and sparkle. This girl's style has become more and more spectacular over the years, and she didn't disappoint last night. A huge, fabulous afro teamed with natural make up and a sparkling, emerald green down by Ralph & Russo, complete with a thigh high split...well, if I had legs like that, I'd rock a thigh high split too!

So there you go...who gets your vote for best dressed? I love both looks, but I love in particular the way Beyonce is able to rock a fabulous, outrageous gown in one look, and a classic Hollywood monochrome look the next day. So...I guess my vote is obvious. What do you think? Enjoy x

Marc Jacobs Takes A Diet Coke Break

2013-02-08T12:08:00.001Z

What happens when one of your favourite designers collaborates with one of your favourite drinks? Well, that would be the amazing Marc Jacobs being made the Creative Director of Diet Coke. A match made in heaven me thinks!

The appointment of the ab-tastic Marc Jacobs as Creative Director to the iconic drink, coincides with Diet Coke's 30th birthday - OMG, I'm almost as old as Diet Coke! Crazy. It may seem a bit strange to appoint a fashion designer as creative director to a soft drink brand, so what can we come to expect from this awesome collaboration?

To begin with, the design of the bottle - Mr. Jacobs is going to give it a whole new look! And with the likes of Karl Lagerfeld and Jean Paul Gaultier already having designed Diet Coke cans and bottles in the past, I think we can expect an amazing new look from Marc Jacobs. The new design will be launched later this month - perfect for coinciding with Fashion Week. There's also the new campaigns - and if these drool-worthy images and commercial are anything to go by, I cannot wait to see what else Marc Jacobs has up his sleeve.

What do you think about MJ as Creative Director to Diet Coke? Enjoy x

Mmmmmmmm!!!!!!

Project Take 10 - Wildfox Couture

2013-02-06T22:19:00.000Z

Two posts in one day...I did say I was back :)

This post is something a little different and special.

I was contacted by Wildfox Couture to take part in an exclusive project called Project Take 10 - a social styling project. Basically, fashion brands, in this case, Wildfox Couture, choose 10 fashion bloggers and send them a piece from their range to style as they see fit. The bloggers then take photos of themselves in their outfit and the general public can vote for their favourite. Fun right?

Of course I was a little shy, being almost 9 months pregnant presented the slight problem of posing in a piece that non-preggy gorgeous girls would be wearing, and trying to make it look good, and not an advert for maternity fashion. But, I do like a challenge.

The piece we were sent was this gorgeous sequin heart jumper - pretty perfect, considering the voting closes on Valentine's Day....ahhhhhhh. I immediately fell in love with this jumper. So perfect for snuggling up in with this freezing weather, and the pretty sequin heart is adorable for Valentine's Day.

I decided to go for a cute geek chic look, as I love pairing a slouchy (well, it would be slouchy if it weren't for my big bump) with a cute skirt and geeky accessories. The skirt is from H&M last year, and is made up of about 5 layers, the faux pearl collar necklace is also from H&M, the frilly socks are from American Apparel, my glasses are from my uncle's optician in Camden and my shoes are c/o Steve Madden. Considering the price point for the jumper is £185, it makes sense to keep the rest of the look high street chic ;-) My lipstick is MAC Up the Amp and my nails are Essie Cute As A Button.

So here is my styled jumper. If you like it and would like to vote for me (take pity on the preggo) then visit this link: http://selfserviceuk.wordpress.com/2013/02/06/wildfox-take-10/ and vote away. As I said before, voting closes on Valentine's Day, so there is plenty of time.

Make sure you check out the rest of the gorgeous bloggers taking part in the challenge too by clicking the link.

Thanks for checking it out and enjoy! x

What I've Been Up To Recently

2013-02-06T13:38:00.001Z

Sorry for the long absence...The last couple of weeks have been manic. I've finished work, ready for maternity leave, had my baby shower, Darren's birthday, lots of writing, seeing friends and family, obsessing over Beyonce at the Super Bowl half time show and basically doing as much as possible, as the countdown to Titch's arrival is now just over 3 weeks! How has that happened?!

It's been a really busy but fun couple of weeks and getting everything ready for Titch's arrival is exhausting, but enjoyable at the same time. It feels like I'm playing house, or we're playing mummies and daddies...weird!

Anyway, here is a little round up of what I have been up to recently. How has your last week been? Been up to anything fun? Enjoy x

Decorating Titch's room

Baby Jonah meets Great Grandma Rose for the first time

Celebrating Darren's birthday at my favourite restaurant - Banners in Crouch End

Mmmm...mammoth Greek salad and garlic chips at Banners

Hanging out with my gorgeous nephew

My baby shower cake

Baby shower spread - including surprise cupcakes from my besties in LA

Amazing present from one of my best friends, Tola

Bump at 36 weeks

The best wallpaper ever - at The Breakfast Club in Shoreditch

Red Velvet cake in Brick Lane bakery

Dad and Darren putting the cot together

Lusting over more cakes in Spitalfields Market