FLORAL ETIQUETTE

sweet comeback

2013-05-22T19:13:00.002+01:00

I had some much better photos from my camera but only God knows where they went. Megaload Sweet & Salty c/o Cybercandy

After moping around in bed for a few days consumed with post-university depression I have decided to sort myself out. Starting with the second thing on the list (after the 'get a real job' number) and begin blogging again. I have really missed it and have felt very unlike myself. Everything seems to be an up hill struggle at the moment and I really need to kick-start all the things I enjoy and I have plenty of time to do so, so why not? It's been a crazy few months but it is all over and although it was crazy, I wouldn't take it back for a second. I am planning to show you some of the things I have been up to, my final major project for one, as well as pictures from my super spontaneous trip to the big apple, so please don't give up on me just yet.

While in NY I had the chance to gorge on all my favourite American treats, but there was one thing I couldn't find while there, resulting in me turning to Cybercandy who were lovely enough to send me a packet of the Megaload Peanut Butter Cups. They were divine and I wish they had lasted me longer than ten minutes. Yes, they were that good! I love the salt/sweet combo, hence my love for chocolate covered pretzels and so was mega impressed that Megaload had combined these tastes for the utmost pleasure.

Megaload come in three different varieties: the original (toppings include: a cookie, candy chocolate pieces and an oreo), sweet and salty (milk, white and dark chocolate covered pretzels) and the caramel crunch (almond buttercrunch, candy chocolate pieces and a peanut butter crunch). For £1.39 I am open to trying the others but I am pretty sure I made the right choice, wouldn't you agree?

beauty is in the eye of the beholder

2013-04-13T21:33:00.000+01:00

Man have I been busy. My deadline for my FMP is fast approaching and there is still so much to do, however I thought I would show you some more little sneak previews after positive comments on my last shoot. The second shoot I shot myself and I got another lovely friend of mine to model, as well as having a very talented make-up artist to help too. This shoot is under the title of another cliche and was an experimentation of colour and pattern, to create something that shouldn't be beautiful but is incredibly beautiful to some. I am really excited now to get my magazine professionally printed and can't wait to share with you all the other content I have been working so hard on. I hope to resume to full on blogging after this is all handed in, as well as getting very happy with a bottle of wine, or three!

all clothing: uniqlo, wigs: c/o wonderland wigs, make-up: sophia lauren

Birthday wishlist

2013-04-05T13:34:00.001+01:00

I am 21 in ten days, but i don't feel very excited about it. Maybe that is because I have a million and one things to do to get this project done by deadline, or maybe I am not that fussed because, after all, I am just another year older. I don't know what I want really, other than a trip to New York at some point during the summer, or a kitten (but that's not going to happen)... however I have compiled a little selection of what's been taking my fancy recently and would be dream presents in a perfect world.

001: Vivienne Westwood Watch - Selfridges

002: Vivienne Westwood Conduit Street Ring

003: Cath Kidston Letter Set and Sticker/Label Book

004: Crown and Glory Whole Lotta Rosie Headband

005: Canon 50mm Lens - Argos

006: Yankee Candle in Strawberry Buttercream

007: Acrylic Make-up Storage: Muji/Amazon

008: Mulberry Del Rey

009: Floral Converse - ASOS

010: Plane ticket to NYC... Virgin!

Maybe I will just buy it all for myself, whatcha reckon?

nothing is so painful to the human mind as a great and sudden change

2013-03-30T20:39:00.001Z

personal post, don't feel like you have to read, I just wanted somewhere to ramble.

There has been a lot on my mind lately, and I am feeling lost. I have always thought I should keep a diary as a way of controlling my thoughts, but I just haven't got round to starting. Starting is always the hardest, and I feel that once I start, it all becomes real. I don't like to stare my thoughts in the face. It's easier for me to keep things in my head as they become much easier to bury, or can be put into their own separate little boxes, deep within the cells of my brain and I don't have to face them, physically. If I am really honest, though, I think my brain has hit capacity.

Lately I have been feeling that I have lost my way. My three years at university are nearly up and so is my time in London. I have to say goodbye to the friendships I have made, the town I have become accustomed to, and the independence of living by myself. It's time to go home. The thing is I don't know where home is anymore. If I talk literally, my home is in a little place further south with my parents. Well it's a house, with a mum, a dad, and two siblings, but when I am there I feel more alone than ever. I have a great bunch of friends, but I feel so far from them than ever because we're on different paths. They have their own lives: some with boyfriends, some with children, some with great jobs and their own houses, and well some, some are just away travelling the world. The saddest part of growing older is losing friends and I just wish sometimes you could freeze a moment in time and return to it whenever you feel you need to. London has become my home, and although I still don't believe to have completely found myself, I have found a beginning, a start, and I'm not ready to let that go. I have laid all of these worries down to stress. The stress of self pressure, the stress of questioning my ability, and the stress of being a small fish in, well, a big ass pond, and significantly, the stress of fulfilling my ambitions. I have a vast amount of dreams, and I feel as though I am taking four steps back for every one step I take forward. Yes, I think you've gathered by now that I am a terrible cliché.

When I left home to come to university I made a decision. I decided that although advised I wasn't necessarily ready to do so, I would make a pact with myself to leave all my demons at the front door. The black cloud, the negative thoughts, and the stupid chemical imbalances in my brain that made me feel that way. Three years on, nothing has altered dramatically, but things have changed. I still get those bad days when all I want to do is scream for guidance, I still feel alone and struggle to let anyone else in, and sometimes I want to give my life away completely. But despite all of this, I am healing. I am on the path to finding myself whoever that may be. I am beginning to become afraid that when I pack up my things and head back home, back to that front door again, I will be back where I started, and I will be the girl I have spent three years running away from.

Change is always difficult. Granted. Change can be good, but it can also be bad, and I guess the reason for all of this amounts to one fact: I am scared. I just hope one day, and one day soon my path brings me back to London, and back to my best friends, and all of the friends I have met through the likes of work and blogging, and hopefully when that time comes I will know who I am, what I want from life, and am strong enough to go for it.

all dressed up with nowhere to go

2013-03-22T22:49:00.001Z

i'm feeling sad over the fact that i haven't had time to blog recently, i have been all over the shop. as many may know i am in my third year at uni and i am making a magazine for my final major project. it is all about cliches and i wanted to give you guys a sneak preview of one of the editorials which is based on the cliche 'all dressed up with nowhere to go'. i spent the day styling, my gorgeous house mate and friend spent the day modelling, and the beautiful lily spent the day photographing. amongst this we all spent the day eating cake, drinking tea and laughing, usually at my expense - as well as playing dress up with gorgeous crown and glory goodies. in between this project i have been working and interning at company for a week, which has been great, but i am now completely and utterly exhausted. roll on monday for my lie in, and then que a solid week of writing. i am very excited to go home during the easter break to see my family and friends, there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

lily is so beautiful and talented, and these photographs make me miss her, i can't wait to make our living plans a reality - in 2014 we hope to live together in a cute little london flat filled with baking aromas, pretty bunting and an array of fruit teas, oh not forgetting the cats, ariel and flounder.

2am and she calls me and I'm still awake

2013-03-12T18:39:00.001Z

jumper: monki, leggings: primark, socks: topshop, shoes: converse

My fingers are so cold they resemble icicles. I have just got home from a day running up and down Oxford Street, getting annoyed with people and buying things for my photo shoot that I am doing on Monday... as well as a few candles for myself of course. I cannot go to Primark these days without picking up candles, it's a little absurd. Since the weather has been ridiculously cold these past few days, snow in May, really England? I haven't taken off my big jumper dress; it's way too cosy. I also love the colour!

I am finding it so hard to blog all that I want to post lately, my final major project is taking over my life and I am trying so hard not to have a breakdown. I can't wait for the finished product though, I hope it all comes together nicely.

Weirdly, I have been compiling a mental note of all that I wish for on my birthday - my birthday is in April. We're still in March, what am I thinking? I blame Selfridges and Jo Malone mainly, but It's my 21st... I am a little excited, although I am in Uni that day... can't have it all eh?

blueberries and bluebells

2013-03-05T18:41:00.002Z

My new favourite nail polishes? it's possible. After seeing these on so many blogs I decided It was about time to jump on the bandwagon, It's got to be cheaper than getting Gel nails put on, right?

The Barry M gelly nail polishes are meant to emulate that of a gel manicure, they are super glossy and aren't meant to chip easily... so far so good, I have had mine on for over 24 hours and no chip yet which is a record for me. I had been looking for a lovely shade of light blue for quite some time so I picked up 'blueberry' to try. It's gorgeous, however has a slight purple tinge to it, almost like lavender. I still love it though, it looks super summery on and was a perfect addition to my very spring-time ensemble that I wore today.

I also picked up 'grapefruit' which is a gorgeous pink colour. Have you bought into these polishes yet? they're definitely a gooden and there are deals on them in booth boots and superdrug right now.

what could it mean to be a daydream believer

2013-03-04T17:14:00.000Z

dress: kiss me quick boutique, boots: asos

This is my new dress, isn't it ever so pretty? I had one very similar last summer which I wore to death and sadly after a fair few months it's life ended and holes after holes started appearing, I was so upset because it was by far my favourite day dress, thus I was elated to find one very similar recently. Kiss Me Quick Boutique is a website that sells second-hand thrifty and vintage items, I first discovered this site many years ago after searching for a new winter coat. I still have that coat today and it is still one of my favourites. I very rarely buy anything online because I never know if it will fit me, I don't think I have a dress size because measurements change from shop to shop. Thankfully both of the dresses I bought fitted perfectly, and the best thing? they're both floral and were complete and utter bargains. I think this dress turned out to be £11 as they were having a 20% off dresses all last weekend.

I love the bib collar too, oh so very me. I am such a cliche.

The weather in London has been glorious today so I decided to procrastinate further over work and take a late morning stroll into town with my housemate. We went for a light lunch and went shopping for essentials. Yes I call Barry M Gelly nail polishes essentials ;) Talking of said nail polishes, they are super pretty and I can't wait to feature them on here to show you... I know they are doing their rounds in the blog world, but hey ho what can a girl do?

Now I really must get back to my work, somehow I am meant to be producing a whole magazine...

Josie Gibson for Goddiva Fashion

2013-03-01T16:11:00.002Z

The lovely Sarah-Jane from Lush

On Tuesday evening I attended the launch of Big Brother Tv personality, Josie Gibson's fashion range with Goddiva. When I walked in I was greeted by the ever-so-lovely Red Hot Pr ladies offering to show me round the collection. Josie has lost an incredible amount of weight since first hitting our Tv screens in 2010, so it's no wonder her collection was full of figure-hugging bodycon dresses. If you've got it, flaunt it I say. Unfortunately I don't have 'it' so although some of the dresses were incredibly gorgeous (this one looked great on), I wouldn't feel comfortable wearing them, body con is not very complimenting for my shape.

Josie is by far the biggest babe and greeted us with a casual bristolian ' alright mate' which instantly put me at ease, thus we spent the whole evening drinking wine and chatting a lot about hair, clothes and general 'life of a girl' bits... including visible panty lines (bodycon does not do our underwear any justice)... I know, such girls eh? It was great fun, I had such a lovely time, she is such a down to earth personality.

If you love bodycon and have a wonderful shape to show off, you should try on some of these dresses, they're great quality and not overly expensive for a night out budget. The collection combines Josie's love of bold colours, bodycon dresses and flattering maxis with Goddiva's traditional glamourous styling.

MAC Archie's Girls: call me veronica

2013-02-26T11:11:00.002Z

'Veronica Blush' Archie's Girls Pearlmatte Face Powder: £21.50 from Selfridges

From the packaging I would say I look more like Archie than either of the girls, but hey ho what can one do? I love Mac's latest collection and got extremely excited when I saw the products available, thus I hurried to Selfridges as quickly as possible. I can't say many of the limited edition products have stood out to me before, so I don't know what was different this time, maybe the retro theme? As soon as I saw this pearlmatte face powder I knew It needed to be mine.

The powder came in two different shades 'flatter me' which was part of Betty's line, and the one I chose, 'veronicas blush'. Flatter me is more of a coral shade, which I think is better for more olive skin tones, veronicas blush has a pearly pink base with deeper pink hearts which I find suits my pale complexion a lot better. It's very sheeny and I find you need to do quite a bit of a swirl in the palette to get enough powder for it to really show, however I find it absolutely gorgeous. It can be used as a blush, highlighter or even eyeshadow, but I think I will use it as an all-round blush - it really is as pretty on the skin as it is in the compact.

I was after the 'daddy's little girl' lipstick too, however they were sold out at the time of purchase, maybe I shall check all the other Mac stores soon!

Have you delved into the Archie's Girls collection? if so what did you buy?

if i went to the oscars...

2013-02-25T19:48:00.001Z

i'd never complain about anything in life ever again, it would make my life.
i'd wear a pretty dress, elie saab, valentino couture or vivienne westwood.
i would stalk meryl like no tomorrow, and get drunk on martini's.

so, last night I stayed up all night to watch the oscars, and it was pretty amazing! I am so tired today, though but I think it was worth it! I have compiled a few images of who I thought was 'best dressed', there were some lovely gowns, but there were some boring ones too. I squealed when Meryl came on and presented, she looked amazing - it had been so long since her last tv appearance. Last night also has made me realise I need to watch Les Mis because the on-stage performance from the cast was incredible.

I was really worried about what Mez would wear as sometimes she really wow's us and sometimes she just, well, doesn't choose a great dress! This time she really did pull out all the stops, the blue and grey sparkles and deep neckline really is divine. There is no mention to whom she is wearing, however the dress is very similar to her gold gown from last year, so I am pretty sure it is custom-made Lanvin. She looked amazing and it was so nice to see her up on the stage again, even if she wasn't nominated - I am sure she will be again next year. Adele definitely wow'd in this gorgeous long Jenny Packham dress, a lot of people were disappointed she was wearing black, but I think she suits it so much, her make-up was just as beautiful. I was so happy she won for best song and her performance was effortlessly fabulous, and as for her speech, could she be any more cute and British? she did it for us Brits, that's for sure.
How great is Jennifer Lawrence? I was so pleased she picked up best actress, seriously she was great in Silver Linings Playbook, so definitely deserved it. She graced the carpet in a very puffy, but elegant Dior Couture gown which complimented her pale complexion beautifully. Alicia Vikander's Elie Saab dress was probably my favourite, powder blue is set to be big this spring/summer, and the intricate detailing was impeccably tasteful.

Amanda Seyfried rocked this Alexander McQueen Gown and Amy Adams looked stunning is Oscar De La Renta - I am really loving the dusky pinks and nudes this season.

Who was your favourite at this season's Academy Awards?

photo credit: pop3x, lifeisact

a fortnight flies by

2013-02-24T19:23:00.000Z

pancakes, metallic nails, burrito, lfw shindigs, best water, me and my housemate, pink lipstick, the diner, bath time reading, new mac powder, new product testing, it's nearly easter

I think I may do these posts every two weeks as my addiction to instagram has calmed down dramatically - I know, I know, say whaaaaaa? It hasn't been a very exciting week, it's been a pretty good food week though, I dine out more than a student should, oops! I have got a few product reviews coming up of products I have been buying, there are still quite a few things on my 'to buy' list, but I need to see if my pay will stretch, because I can't be one of those gals who can sacrifice my food shop... obvs!

It's the Oscars tonight, yeyy! I am so excited to see Meryl presenting, as well as all the lovely red-carpet dresses! I cannot believe it's been a whole year since the last ceremony, which was the friggin' best! I need to go stock up on snacks and red bull now to get me through the night - I know I must be mental.

anyone else staying up to watch?

girl about town

2013-02-19T17:33:00.000Z

Mac Girl About Town

I have quite a modest amount of make-up, but what I do have is a lot of lipsticks, well... I say a lot, compared to some bloggers my collection is minute. I am really trying to build up my collection of Mac lipsticks because I love them and there are so many on my 'to buy' list. While sorting out my collection I discovered that the majority of my lip products are shades of purple, and as much as I love them, and they suit me, I felt I needed more of a selection. I have wanted a bright pink for ages, literally ages and usually find myself stealing my housemate's, thus I decided to finally bite the bullet and buy one. Now I was tempted by a Kate Moss pink shade, but went for one that I have admired on other people for a long time: girl about town.

I am quite pale so find that blue based pink lipsticks suit me a lot better, and this shade is gorgeous! This is my first amplified finish lipstick and I now want more because the consistency is ultra creamy and just, well, lovely? It's so smooth on my lips and actually feels quite moisturising. I did need to re-apply after eating and drinking a whole bottle of coke, but maybe that is because I haven't quite mastered the 'lipstick etiquette' yet... despite this I am really happy with it and even when it fades it leaves a nice pink stain on my lips, which when they are not really dry and chapped, actually looks quite nice.

Do you own this lippy? I believe it's one of Mac's famous shades, non?

kiss you hard in the pouring rain

2013-02-14T18:07:00.003Z

shirt: thrifted, skirt: dahlia*, boots: asos, necklace: primark

Happy Valentine's day y'all! I thought I would go all pink on you today to mark the occasion. I think V day is a load of bollocks, but hey, maybe that's because I'm single? however, I am off to spend the night with one of my lovely girlfriends tonight eating good food and having a good natter - I couldn't think of a better way to spend a Thursday.

I hope all you girlies who are loved up have a wonderful evening with your other halves, and really enjoy the night... although you should do that everyday of the year.

The lighting in these photos is horrible, I left it a little late so it was rather dark outside and my bathroom offers a rather nasty tungsten lighting....

I feel like a princess in this skirt, not many people are buying it I don't think, which is crazy because it's gorgeous, and a bargain, so please go and be princesses too and buy the skirt!

when it comes to pancakes, i can eat you all under the table

2013-02-12T16:30:00.001Z

I love pancake day. Seriously seriously love it. In fact, I just love pancakes any day of the year. I cooked my housemate and I lots of them, paired with some delicious toppings. I really wanted maple syrup and strawberries but my local Sainsbury's didn't have any. Thus I decided to go for two kinds, the traditional lemon and sugar, which ultimately is my favourite, and then a more sickly choice of nutella, reeses pieces and marshmallows - the latter made me feel slightly sick, but I can eat over 15 lemon and sugar pancakes in one sitting. I know, I'm a fatty.

Have you made pancakes today? what is your preferred topping?

how much is that doggy in the window

2013-02-10T21:38:00.001Z

hair dye which I still need to do, cake with lily, cheering myself up with mamma mia, sock obsession, trying to sit at my desk more, tattoo, hot chocolate and cake, being a stepford wife, more cake

This week has been mega mega stressful, final major at uni is in full swing and I've had too many melt downs to count on one hand, but I think I finally have a good idea that I can have fun with. You may be wondering about the title of this post... well I have simply had the song stuck in my head all weekend! I have been singing it at work, in my head on the tube and driving my housemate crazy - oops! isn't it funny how you get random songs in your head and you don't know why or where they've come from? it happens to me too often for my liking, drives me loopy lou!

I got my bake on this week and all the cake has been eaten already, in fact I have eaten a lot of cake this week - all red velvet, too! Also this week as you probably saw below, I got my second tattoo, yeyyyy, I have also now got the bug and just want more and more!

I have a mini deadline tomorrow so I best get on before my housemate shouts at me, she's real scary, but it's good... I guess!

life's little wins

2013-02-07T12:43:00.002Z

I used to have a little obsession with buying purses, and I would hardly ever transfer everything from one to another, and I would never throw the old one out. One day I was sorting through my bedroom and I found an old purse that I had used for a night out, when I looked inside I was very surprised to find a five pound note and some coins... now this made me very happy because I thought I could never be one to forget about money, but I did. This was certainly a 'life little win' and definitely gave me a spring in my step that day!

To celebrate life's little wins, Money Supermarket conducted an experiment that was all about feeling good. Secret cameras were put into a busy dry cleaners and they told customers they had left a £20 note in their pocket to see how they all reacted. This was filmed and it's a pretty good watch, see it here! To carry on with this feel-good feeling, Money Supermarket has given me and a few others bloggers a very fun task. Each blogger received £20 to spend on anything they wanted, however it had to make ourselves, or other people feel good.

I got extremely excited about this and started compiling a list of things I loved doing that had the feel-good factor. I thought about baking cakes paired with homemade lemonade, I also thought about buying a new item of clothing, or beauty product, but when it came down to it I knew exactly what I was going to spend the money on. I never believe in myself, or life for that matter. I have had my struggles, and for years I have been thinking of ways to encourage myself out of this mind set; thus I decided I would do it in the form of a tattoo. Yes, a tattoo! I have wanted this tattoo for years, but had always seen it as a bit of a waste of money when I needed to spend it on practical things like rent and food - and even then it's scrimping with Sainsbury's basics (typical glamorous student eh?). This little win in the form of a free £20 note made me feel so happy because I knew it would cover the majority of the cost and I didn't have to worry about budgeting the money for something else.

So here it is, my new tattoo. It reads 'believe' and is actually written in Meryl Streep's handwriting. Because the tattoo itself wasn't very creative, I wanted to make it individual to me, and you all know how much I love Meryl and how she has helped me, unknowingly, through several life disasters, I thought it would make a nice touch to remind me to always believe in myself, others and in my dreams.

So thank you Money Supermarket, I will always think of this life little win when I look at my wrist, and you will never know how happy I am to have finally got it.

no cats were harmed in making this tee

2013-02-06T18:29:00.002Z

top and disco leggings: primark, socks: topshop, boots: asos

cats cats cats cats! I reckon' I will probably be a crazy cat lady when I'm older, I love 'em! When I saw this in the shop I knew I had to have it, isn't the kitty super super cute? This is definitely a feel-good top! My hair was in a right state today so please excuse that - eugh so not pretty and I'm still not sure how I feel about my new leggings, I feel you need to have super skinny pins to wear them :/ !

I have so much to be getting on with work wise, but lack of imagination is really making me hit a brick wall - it is the worst feeling ever and I can't stop getting frustrated with myself.

In other news, I got a tattoo today, it's going to have to have its own blog post tomorrow, though so keep your eyes peeled!

fifty little things

2013-02-02T09:00:00.000Z

1. I live with three of my best girl friends

2. I have a weakness for buying bed sheets

3. long island ice tea is my favourite cocktail

4. eminem is my guilty pleasure

5. I have never had a crush on a boyband, I missed that 'stage'

6. when I was young, I was instead obsessed with the osbournes and have met sharon and kelly

7. I have seen every meryl streep movie, and there's lots of them

8. I have a slight obsession with older people

9. I have met meryl streep

10. I like melting chocolate and mixing it with cereal

11. I quite like being on my own

12. I still have my nan's ashes after 14 years

13. freesias are my favourite flowers

14. I love florals, floral print everything

15. red velvet cupcakes are my favourite thing to bake

16. I love sixties music

17. I went to San Francisco and didn't want to come home

18. I am never content with my life

19. I always wave my arms when I talk

20. I think mental health issues are important and feel very strongly about the issue

21. I can recite 75% of the dialogue of mamma mia

22. the bridges of madison county is my favourite film

23. I cry every time someone on tv cries

24. I have wanted a baby since I was fifteen

25. when I go shopping I am always caught looking at baby clothes

26. I am slightly obscure, can you tell?

27. I go into abercrombie and hollister for the smell

28. I have never been to a proper concert

29. but I have been in the audience of lots of tv shows

30. I have met lots of my good friends online

31. I don't want to marry, but if I do I want them to be American

32. I want to own my nan's old cottage one day

33. I have interned at grazia

34. Regina Spektor is one of my favourite singers

35. I have one tattoo of a swallow on my foot, I have planned at least three more

36. I used to have my belly and nose pierced

37. I still have a hole in my belly from said piercing

38. I drink too much diet coke, considering I say I hate it

39. I really wish I liked coffee

40. homemade pink lemonade is lovely

41. I wanted to be an actress but I chickened out of stage school

42. I've auditioned for a pantomime

43. I say the oddest things but enjoy making my friends laugh

44. I am incredibly lazy

45. I have curvature of the spine

46. cheese is my favourite food

47. I used to have conversations with kaley cuoco on myspace before she was famous

48. I hate clubbing

49. I currently work for dahlia

50. I have probably bored you half to death, I'm sorry

a day for nails

2013-02-01T15:54:00.000Z

I love nail polishes and painting my nails, I only wish I had some decent nails to paint upon, but we can't have everything can we? What I do have, though, are three new polishes courtesy of QVC. The only channel of QCV I can stand is the beauty channel, my friend's Mum always has it on when I go over, so every time I hear about QVC I think of her.

The majority of my polishes are Model's Own, with a few others thrown into the mix. I got very excited when my package arrived to find OPI and Nails Inc inside, and a polish I had never used before, Seche Vite top coat.

OPI 'Lucerne-tainly Look Marvelous'* is a charcoal-grey foil-like metallic from the Swiss Collection from a few years ago. I don't know how I feel about this one, it's not something I would usually go for if choosing a nail varnish, and it reminds me of an HB pencil if you used to write really hard like me, however I would imagine it to look great accompanying a dark ensemble for a night out! The polish is sheer, but not that sheer, and it builds up really nicely - I used three coats + the Seche Vite top coat to get the desired effect.

This is a colour I thought I would hate, but in fact I really really like it. This is Nails Inc's Wellington Square*, the soft peachy nude that you dream of. The formulation is fantastic and I find it thick and creamy... yes a creamy nail polish! It glides on perfectly, I used two coats and the top coat which made the polish look super shiny! The colour reminds me of 'peach melba' by Barry M, and I am so glad because I love peach melba but hate the runny formulation, so this is the perfect replacement ready for Spring!

QVC have so many nail varnishes on their site to choose from, including sets, it's strange because I never think to look there, but I will from now on.

The Seche Vite top coat is also my new love. It's AMAZING. It's super glossy, dries really fast and prevents chipping - have you tried this top coat?

also, take a look at QVC's top nail-prep tip:

i was flying until you knocked me to the floor

2013-01-30T17:39:00.002Z

dress: monki, boots: asos

I look very vampy today don't I? but I kinda like this look and really love this dress. After wanting it for ages I finally snapped it up in the sale, and I called it fate when my size popped back into stock online. The only annoying thing about it is that it's a leather jacket kinda dress, my coats look ridiculous with it because they're mid length and the dress comes down longer, so I can't seem to wear it when it is really cold out. I have finally finished my dissertation, YAY. I have to reference everything now with my bibliography which I have been putting off all day because it's super boring, but the sooner I do it the sooner I can get it over with. I went into town today to get out of the house and ended buying more than I planned, silly essentials like cotton buds, though... as well as some hair dye (hopefully it will come out how I want this time) and a new lipstick, I felt I needed to cheer myself up with retail therapy, as always. I have been feeling really down recently and I don't really know why - I think I am putting too much pressure on myself at uni, it's coming up to the end of my time in education and I really want to do well, and when I don't do as well as I want to, I beat myself up over it and start to feel really in-adequate. I need to believe in myself, but it's a big big weakness of mine.

my hands are so cold writing this, I may have to light some candles and wave them through the flames...

Lovemix takeout!

2013-01-29T14:18:00.000Z

Valentine's Love Mix, Cybercandy*

These take-away boxes from Cybercandy are probably my favourite thing they do. The last time I had one I filled it with my American favourites and enjoyed using the chopsticks for novelty eating. For Valetine's day the box has been re-designed containing lots of delicious sweets centred around hearts and pinkness - I love it! How adorable are the heart decorated chopsticks?

Sweets came in the box in a plastic wrapping so I emptied them all into the box and dived straight in. There were love hearts, which are always a classic and I love dishing them out to my friends when I find the appropriate one, jelly bean hearts, haribo hearts and rings, and my utmost favourite: pink heart jazzies!

This would make a great Valentines gift if your loved one loves sweets, accompanied with flowers you are sure to put a smile on their faces! The takeout candy love mix is available to buy online for the reasonable price of £2.69 - but if you're buying one to share with your beau, don't forget to order another, because if you're anything like me, you will want one all to yourself!

sunday update

2013-01-27T21:26:00.000Z

pretty new pjs, cig in the snow, fresh new patterned sheets, wish mag lunchtime reading, snowy hair, best burger ever, being childish, pretty scenery, flowers from interflora, bgt, naughty asos order, dissertation writing

Seriously I don't know where this week has gone, I swear it just never happened. I haven't really done much other than work and prepare for my deadlines that are due this week, I can't believe my dissertation is in for Friday. However, I will be so glad that it will be over with and I can concentrate on my final major project. I am also excited to see Lily on Thursday, it will be good to catch up.

I can't actually believe this time last week it was snowing, it goes so quickly in this country, well in London anyway. I am really excited to show you my new blog header when it is finished, I have finally got round to getting an illustration done by the lovely and talented Jaymie - her jewellery is equally amazing! I went to Britain's Got Talent on Wednesday in hope of getting a kiss off of Simon Cowell, unfortunately my dream didn't come true, but alas I had a lovely time. I was filmed as an extra to sit in a room while interviews with the contestants were conducted so maybe there will be a glimpse of me when it is on TV... who knows eh?

Back to uni work it is... I hope you're all well!

a special delivery

2013-01-22T14:00:00.000Z

Rose and Lily Bouquet, Interflora*

I think it is pretty obvious from my blog title that I love flowers, floral print and anything that is particularly flowery. When Interflora emailed and asked me whether I would be interested in receiving a Valentine's bouquet delivered by post I didn't hesitate to say yes. Now I love flowers, but I very much despise Valentine's day. This may be because I have spent many Valentine's days alone, but I have often thought it is pretty overrated anyway, even if I met my prince charming in time for February 14th, I don't think I would buy into all the commercialised garbage. Flowers, however are certainly not garbage, and I think they should be a regular occurrence in a relationship whether there is a day designated to love, or not - I am all for flower gestures.

It was weird when these arrived at my door this morning, even though I knew they weren't from a secret admirer, or indeed my prince charming, they made me smile and the post man didn't have to know that they were a planned gift did he? It's a funny feeling when you've never had flowers sent to you, and I don't think having someone pick you fresh daffodils from the council gardens when you were seven really counts? But yes, they are lovely and they are now proudly sat on a shelf in my bedroom brightening up my surroundings. Interflora have so many wonderful bouquets and Valentine's gifts so if you are looking for something to put a smile on your partners face, I urge you to check them out.

The bouquet I chose is a mix of red roses and lily's, I originally opted for these lovely tulips but these weren't available for delivery in my area, however I am really happy with these, as any girl who loves flowers would be, they're so pretty. Many of the flowers come with an added gift, either a teddy bear or chocolates, the latter applied to my gift - chocolates over stuffed animals any day I say! They even have a few pralines in which are my favourite type of chocolates - I am a happy single girl with flowers. The end.

ps. If any of you fancy sending me a single red rose one day, or even two dozen, go to Interflora!

precipitation

2013-01-18T17:14:00.000Z

dress, hat and gloves: primark, shirt: charity shop, boots: topshop

I thought I would take my outfit outside tonight, but I wasn't dressed in the appropriate atire to step one foot out of my back garden (if you can call it a garden). The day's of snow men and snow angels are long gone, I love the snow but like to admire it from a far, inside with the heating on with a hot coco, yes I just said coco. I have enjoyed seeing the snow on instagram today, I love how very British it is too get excited over, well, precipitation. It's done its job, though - It has one hundred percent distracted me from my work... well lets face it, it doesn't take much does it?

This is my little Primark number I got the other day while un-intentionally wondering around the Tottenham Court Road store, but isn't it pretty? Dahlia did one just like it, but unfortunately it didn't fit me, and because I wanted a tapestry dress so much I had to face my fears of buying a huge size in Primark. Now I am one of those people who hate dress size numbers, and I am sure I am not alone. Primark sizes annoy me because in some of their clothes I have to literally get the biggest size there, but I refuse to believe I am actually that size in real life. Usually if something doesn't fit me in the size I'd usually wear I would leave and not buy it because it makes me want to slit my wrists. However, I know how unrealistic Primark sizes can be, and due to the size of my annoying breasticles in a dress of this cut it's understandable that I would have an issue with sizing, so with this in mind I decided to ignore the number and buy it anyway - the label will be cut out, though. I also didn't appreciate having to tell the sales assistant the size I needed though, after she refused my want to leave the fitting room to get it myself. I wanted to hang myself off the nearest coat hanger. Humiliation at its best.

Does anyone else have issues with Primark's ridiculous sizing?