Leather and Lace

It's nearly the end of my holiday so I didn't want to waste my last few precious days off work lazing around ... as I have done for nearly 2 weeks now!!  It was time to leave the couch and the dvd's behind and meet some friends for lunch and drinks.

Sweater Top with lace detail: Topshop
Faux leather skirt: H&M
Footless tights: Boots
Platform Boots: New Look

An action shot ... !

Everyone and their mother now owns this skirt but that's because it's such a brilliant find.  It has an exposed zipper detail at the back and is so easy to dress up or down.  If you are thinking about buying I would size up in it.  H&M are always hit and miss with their clothing and this is one of those rubbish items you need to go a size bigger in :( 

I actually bought the top because I loved the lace shoulder detail.  I love any detailing on shoulders ... I seem to be drawn to anything like this.  I picked it up in the Topshop sale and was paying for it before I realised it was from their Maternity range! Yikes, that's not an announcement by the way!! It actually makes the sweater really comfy as there is a bit more give in it without it looking baggy and mis-shaped.

As you can see I am still really struggling with posing! Try as hard as I can to lark about in front of the camera, I still look like a bit of a dork and can't really pull off the 'fashionista' look but hey, I'm only here to share my ideas and inspiration.  I now have another issue besides posing and that's how to re-size my photos and present them better.  One step at a time though.  

Gold & silver link chain: Topshop
Silver diamante link chain: Primark
Watch: Vintage seiko
friendship bracelets: Topshop

I also stole my husbands vintage Seiko watch for the day.  I have decided it suits me better ... wonder if he will let me keep it ;)

I go back to work tomorrow and the thought literally fills me with dread.  Back to the grind so they say ... it's going to be a long 3 days until Friday!!

Who else is struggling with being back at work?

x

17 Wild Metallic Eyes

I blogged about these creme shadows last week when I wore the wild nude shade for a natural look but today I tried out one of the deeper shades from the 17 Wild Metallic Eyes range.

Wild Midnight Blue is a gorgeous sparkly creme shadow with flecks of irridiscent navy, blues and turquoise greens, all blended beautifully to create a deep blue/navy shadow.

Of course, just like I mentioned in my last post, I immediately whipped out the iPhone to take some photos ... 

Excuse my manky mirror!

Then I realised that this hardly represents the truth of the shadow.  It can be applied as a sheer coat with just a sweep of colour or layered on which is the look I prefer.  The sparkle is quite subtle to begin with and almost appears like a sheen across the eyes, however, a creme shadow being a creme shadow, it does begin to crease with time and if you like this kind of look (I do) then you might just love the results. 

Foundation: Rimmel Lasting Perfection
Eyes: 17 Wild Metallic Eyes in Wild Midnight Blue
MAC Blacktrack liner, Rimmel Scandaleyes mascara
Cheeks: Benefit Hoola, Illamasqua Unrequited blush
Lips: MAC Dervish Lipliner, Estee Lauder gloss in Twilight Petal

As you can see Wild Midnight Blue creates quite a deep, sultry evening look.  Once it begins to crease a wash of blue is left behind along with lashings of sparkle so if you are looking for a laid back but intense party look, this is the kind of effortless glitter eyes for you.  I applied with a finger just buffing and blending the edges.  It took all of 2 minutes. 

creased after wear which I love but this photo doesn't capture the sparkle

Although I prefer to apply with my finger, it does get a bit messy and I find that of all the creme shadows I have tried, these really do work well with a brush, something I would normally find awkward with this kind of product.

On an aside note, the mascara I am wearing (and have been for the past month) is Rimmel Scandaleyes.  While it has a lovely thick plush brush, I am not keen on the formula.  Yes, the intensity and pigment is just right and it does create quite fluttery big lashes but I do feel my lashes look hard and a bit brittle once it fully dries.  You might even notice this in the photo above.

You can buy Rimmel Scandaleyes for £6.99 and 17 Wild Metallic Eyes are available at £3.99 each at Boots stores.

I was going to post my outfit post from today but since this post is huge enough, I will do it separately.  Oh, and before I forget, loads of you have been asking about my iPhone cover.  It's a multi colour leopard print and I bought it for around £3.00 in TK Maxx :) 

Does anyone else like a creased shadow?  Have you tried 17 Metallic Eyes?

x 

17 Endless Shine Lipgloss - Coral Queen

I love it when new products surprise me, especially when it's a very affordable drugstore product.

I was in Newcastle last weekend and somehow managed to take with me, 3 dried out lipglosses! Pfft, how does that even happen? Anyway, while on a shopping spree in Newcastle I nipped into Boots with the purpose of buying a gloss I could wear out on the town that evening.

Boots 17 is not a brand I ever buy - if I am right, I believe the brand is aimed at a much younger audience therefore the quality is probably not what I am after. However, the colour of this gloss drew me to it. The shade is Coral Queen and it is part of the 17 Endless Shine lipgloss range.
It is a lovely pinky coral with gold shimmer running through it which is very subtle on the lips but just enough to give a golden glow. The formulation isn't as sticky as I would have expected and the shine isn't endless as it says on the tube but it does go a long way despite this. My only real issue is it seems to be slighly drying on the lips but this isn't a problem as long as you're not wearing it everyday.

Here it is on bare lips:
A glossy sheer hint of colour. And over the top of Mac Angel:
Obviously with coral being the 'in' shade again this year, it is a perfect gloss for Spring/Summer looks.

Oh, and I forgot to mention the best bit - it's only £3.49!

What bargains have you spotted lately?

x

Here come the girls ....

... name that tune!! ... yup, it's the theme tune to our very own Boots the Chemist.

On Friday, i was very kindly asked by the lovely Toni at Dada to attend the re-launch of Glasgow's Sauchiehall Street branch. The store has had a bit of a makeover and the new look was unveiled on Friday with a big in-store party!

When I arrived, the red carpet had been rolled out, music was booming and there was a bevvy of gorgeous girls all wrapped together in a big red bow! There was quite a buzz about the store, special offers and free samples were being handed out galore and beautiful models surprising customers with special goody bags. They were also promoting the new re-branded St Tropez which has had its own revamp, apparantly an ingredient was taken out here and another added there and voila! apparantly no more biscuit smell - instead vanilla, and no more orange tone, simply a brown natural tan. I'm still sticking with St Moriz for now though.

The lovely Toni and Gail from Dada spoiled me with more goody bags as I left the store and here is a peek at what was inside.I actually don't know where to start with telling you what was inside as there was basically 3 or 4 seperate bags! I was pretty overwhelmed but the booty! Lots of samples from Clarins, Soltan and Estee Lauder. Goodies by The Sanctuary, Clinique and No7's infamous range Protect & Perfect which I am in love with. I also received Gucci Flora showergel, Diesel perfume and Lacoste 'Dream of Pink' perfume which I have worn since Friday! Love it. My absolute favourite from the booty has to be this gorgeous Chloe make up bag ... the pic isn't too great but you get the idea. Can't wait to start using it!


Thanks again to Toni and Gail at Dada and everyone at Boots Sauchiehall Street. It was such a pleasure to be asked along and thank you so much for your generosity!

x