The H&M Blazer and a new kind of Ombre

I have always felt a little too chunky to carry off the boyfriend blazer trend but a shopping trip to H&M a few weeks ago had me changing my mind.

I guess it's not a boyfriend blazer in the traditional sense but it is far less structured and fitted than my normal choice of blazer.  It hangs quite lose over the body with relaxed rolled up sleeves and loose roomy pockets.  For £19.99 (*i think*) it was too much of a snip to miss out on.  

Because it's a creamy off-white, I do feel I need to be tanned up to carry it off well but it's such a versatile jacket that can be worn with anything - proof of this is the fact I haven't had it off my back since I bought it.  

Case in point ... 

Super casual, t-shirt (Marc Jacobs), Scarf (Warehouse), jeans (unseen), trainers (unseen)

Smart Casual for a spot of shopping.  Vest (H&M), Necklace (Topshop), Wax look trousers (H&M), Snake Print bag (Mango), Studded pumps (unseen) 

Dressed up with a sequin cape for a quick makeover to take me into the evening.  Cape (Topshop), Vest (H&M), dark blue jeans (Primark), stilettos (unseen)

I also decided to bring back the ombre this week but a much more subtle version courtesy of the wonderful Stacie, whose blog you can read here.  It gives a much more sunkissed appearance than my first foray into Ombre but I will probably take it a few shades lighter on my next visit to see Stacie.  

A more natural red/auburn dye with bleached ombre weaved into the ends 

I am absolutely loving the new hair and have been wearing it in a middle parting more often just for a change.  My hair has also grown so long, at last there is so much I can do with it! :) 

What item of clothing are you obsessing over at the moment? 

x

Hairspiration: Dip Dye

My first insight into the dip dye phenomenon that is taking over the split ends of the famous and not so famous was in London when I spotted Bleach salon at Topshop Oxford Street.

The girls there had fabulous dip dye and ombre creations going on ... but at the time I was looking to get rid of my own ombre hair that had seriously dried out my ends.

I promised myself I wouldn't buy into this 'trend'.  For a start I hate trends as such, it makes me feel like a bit of a clone and when ombre became too popular I swiftly got rid.  Also, how do you dip dye as a professional?

I work in an office that is still stuck in the 1950's.  Unfortunately not in the glamorous sense of Mad Men but instead the ignorant, backward thinking sense.  Oh Miaow!  So, you see, neon pink hair will not go down well.

Anyway, I'm rambling ... I will let these pics do the talking ...

I LOVE this girl! How cute/cool does she look? 

I adore how the pink hair clashes with her gorgeous orange lippie! 

Apparantly this is Lauren Conrads hair... subtle but daring

I love Drew, she ain't afraid to experiment. The block black ends look wicked and
go perfectly with her Alexander McQueen dress

Nicki close your mouth love! The Queen of the Dip Dye! 

Cute or what?

In reality I can't commit to a visit to Bleach London to have my ends perfectly blended into shades of lilac, peach and violet so instead I am on a quest to create a temporary solution.

I want to enjoy dip dyed-esque hair that can easily be washed out in time for my Monday morning team meeting.

Therefore, I am going back to my youth (read: 8 year old me) and will be picking up some spray on colour this week to recreate a colourful ombre barnet.

I could do with some advice though ... can anyone recommend a good brand and/or colours to spray the ends of my auburn locks?

I'm thinking violets, turquoise and pink but can you think of a better colour combo?  Direct me to the best shops and brands too please!

I will keep you posted with photos of my experimental hair frolics!

x

Beat Of My Drum

I always knew Nicola was the talented one ...



A little bit Justice, a little bit Uffie ... it's right up my street, even if it does feel like she has ripped them off a wee bit.

Seriously, how hawt does she look?  Even kinda liking her ombre hair ... but Nicola, everyone's already bought that t-shirt!

x

Goodbye Ombre!

Okay, I have finally had enough.  It's time to say cheerio to my ombre'd hair.

It was lovely while it lasted and I loved the texture it gave my hair but my barnet has started to look a little flat of late.  That combined with me playing Bridesmaid for a day in a few weeks and the fact that EVERY girl I bumped into in London had ombre hair ... it prompted me that it's time for a change.

When I say a change, it will probably be nothing too exciting ... I don't want to get carried away with myself ;) It will most likely be a return to an all over shade of red to help gain back the shine and life my hair is lacking at the moment.

As for cut, well we will see... it depends how much damage the ombre has done.

I leave you with a pic of my hair where the ombre can be seen quite clearly and is probably the whitest blonde my hair has ever had on it.

Farewell Ombre, it was nice while it lasted.

x

You're the boss, applesauce ...

Its nearly day 10 of my flu and I'm only just starting to feel better! I can't wait to get back some kind of normality, get out and about, book some gym classes and just feel like a functioning human being again. I haven't even seen 2011 yet apart from through a window.

Since I still haven't been feeling 100% I have been going for easy casual outfits that are comfy to lounge about it. It's actually felt great to be out of pyjamas for a change.

I had a bit of a nightmare trying to photograph this look too hence the crazy posing and blurred shots. My camera is so awful but if things go to plan I hould have a new one by the end of the month. I am looking to buy a DSLR but also need a new digital compacy ... oh, and a new laptop but one piece of technology at a time, eh? Any camera recommendations would be greatly appreciated though.
My best 'ard boy impression ;)
Top from Boy London at Urban Outfitters. This was a present from my husband knowing my love for Warhol's work. The snood was to help comfort my sore throat (which has absolutely killed all week) and is from a store called Dom in Berlin. Dom is a quirky interiors store but also has some jewellery and occasionally some items of clothing. The leather trousers are River Island and are surprisingly comfy. Jewellery was just a few bracelets and rings thrown on from what I could find lying around.
Make up was pretty simple since this is probably the first time in over a week I have applied any. Some Rituals foundation with Nars Laguna Bronzer and Orgasm blush and a slick of frambroise juicy tube was enough. I made myself look half alive with a flick of Shu Uemura liner and mascara.

My hair is still 'ombre'd' in these pics and I am supposed to be getting it redone at the weekend however I have had a change of heart and may go for an all over dye again ... I just can't decide. I just don't see any hairstyles or colours that really appeal to me at the moment.

Do you have any hair suggestions I could consider?

x

BaByliss Wavy Wand - GIVEAWAY!

Now that I have my new ombre hair (which I am loving!), I find it generally suits a wave better than straight. These are the kind of Ombre waves I crave.

I am useless at creating waves and curls with my regular ghd's so I normally use a very old pair of Babyliss tongs. I have toyed with idea of getting a conical wand for ages and just when I had decided to part with my cash and buy one, Babyliss go and bring out another wonder tool to the market.

It's the Babyliss Waving Wand. It is similar to a conical wand but shaped slightly different. It comes with a heat protection glove and reaches a temperature of 200C but with 5 different heat settings which is perfect for us wanting to reduce the level of heat used on our tender locks.

There is no clamp on the barrel which always makes me wonder how long you have to sit there holding your hair in place over the heat but take a look at this video and you will see how fast and effective the waving wand is. You literally only hold it to your hair a few seconds and a wonderful wave is created. I NEED this in my life!

The Babyliss Waving Wand costs £30 and is available from Boots and Argos but you lucky things get the chance to win one for free! YAY!

Now there are 2 ways of winning this competition you can leave a message in the comments simply stating 'wave your magic wand Fairy!' or you can tweet me @Saskiafairy stating 'enter me for the waving wand #Babyliss'.

It would also be lovely if you were a follower of this blog otherwise you just look a teensy bit rude.

Please only enter once as multiple entries will not be counted. I will be using random.org to generate the winner.

The competition closes at midnight on Friday 8th October, winners will be announced shortly after!

Oh and if the waving wand is not for you, Babyliss have also brought out another 2 products; Big Hair and Root Boost.

You can win Root Boost on Girlinthecity's blog so swing on by and check that out if that's more up your street.

GOOD LUCK!

x

I've been Ombred!

Last week I posted about Ombre hair and the fact I was going to attempt the transition from one block colour to a graduated shade known as Ombre.

Well I did it!

And I blimmin' well like it!

What do you think then? I understand it's not everyones cup of tea but I was really dying for something a little bit different and somewhat 'cooler' than my current 'do' that I had become bored with.

I went to my regular stylist for this (Stacie at Absolute on Sauchiehall Street for those interested) and instead of just wacking on the bleach to the ends of my hair, she systematically applied to the ends of my hair, sometimes backcombing sections before application to achieve a more natural, less contrived finish.

I have to admit I was so nervous waiting for the colour to develop. I started to imagine it would just look like one big hot mess but no, I am happy with the final result. It's not too in your face and is a good base to continue with on my ombre mission. Next time I plan to go slightly lighter on the ends for an even more graduated effect.

I asked Stacie to curl/wave my hair slightly which she did by twisting sections of my hair as she blowdryed ... I didn't realise it was so easy. Stacie told me that generally your hair will hold curl better this way, better than it would hold a ghd curl.

So there we go, I popped my Ombre cherry and I liked it!

x