One size fits all.

Something I haven't blogged about in great detail lately is the life overhaul I am going through.  That basically means I am on that healthy eating, get fit wagon that I keep falling off, again!

Before I post about my gym routine, healthy eating and current progress, it's safe to say that I am determined not to buy new clothes until I have reached my goal body.

So what's a girl to do if she wants to update her wardrobe without buying new wares??

Accessorise!

It's an age old rule for me as it is ... outfits can be changed from dressy to casual, from professional to laid back with the switch up of a pair of earrings, a cocktail ring or some stacked bracelets.  Accessories ALWAYS fit too, it doesn't matter if you are carrying a few extra pounds, those earrings will still look as sparkly on.  Now, I am a bit sheepish about showing off new bits & bobs since I recently de-cluttered my whole jewellery/accessory collection with the promise to myself no more was needed.  However, there is always an exception to the rule and that's usually when there is those 4 little letters emblazoned across a shop window ...

S A L E

Yes, Warehouse had slashed the prices of their accessories and I got myself a little bundle all priced between £1 and £6.  Come on, how could I turn that down? So anyway, here is what I picked up.  Apologies for the grainy iphone pics but i'm just a bit of a lazy bum today.

I started off with these dangly earrings, £2 and £1 respectively - how bargainous?!  I never used to leave the house without a pair of statement earrings but I honestly can't remember the last time I even wore a pair of studs.  I wear my hair up a lot these days and figured that  a nice pair of danglies would go nicely with a maxi or tunic dress.  If I don't get round to wearing them then there is no major financial loss so win, win! :)

The next little set of bargains are a gold filigree style cuff, a multi-shade wooden beaded bracelet and a chunky navy & emerald bangle.  I can't remember their prices but none were more than £6 which is great.

After I left Warehouse, I popped into M&S to ask how much I had left on a gift card that has been in my purse for the last 3 years.  I honestly thought there was only a fiver left on it - I was squealing with excitement when I was told there was over £100 on it!! AMAZING! Anyway, instead of going wild in the aisles, I just picked up the one thing which was yet another pair of sunglasses to add to the ever expanding collection.

Excuse my dodgy, unkempt hair - I went for another pair of cat eye glasses.  This is my third pair in a month! Toffs certainly are careless.  These just looked so fabulous on, I had to have them.  In some light they are a taupey shade, in other lights, they look slightly green.  They were £15.

Other purchases I managed to body swerve were a gorgeous pair of black platforms and slouchy clutch from Dorothy Perkins (wow, have they gone up in the style stakes since I last shopped there!).

Anyway, Tomorrow is Monday and I am back to the grind and a super busy week involving some glitz, glamour and pampering.

What bargains have you been snapping up lately?

x

How to: Leopard Print Nails

I can't stop looking at my nails!

I have always been of the opinion that nail art is a little bit tacky and always thought my nails were too small to try anything exciting anyway, but this morning I gave it a go. I am delighted with the results and long gone is any judgement of tacky. Or at least, it's the kind of tacky that I like!

Last night I painted my nails blue then today, on a whim, decided to add some leopard print to them. Here is how I did it:

I used the following:
From L-R; Sally Hansen Diamond Strength base coat; M&S nail colour in azure blue; Illamasqua Boosh; Barry M nail paint in bright pink; Nail bar top coat; a kebab stick (yes, you heard me right!)

1) I started by applying my base coat and painting my nails blue with M&S Azure Blue (this was from my Scottish Fashion Awards goody bag)
2) Once the blue had dried fully, I added blobs/spots of Barry M's bright pink. I wasn't too neat about this at all just 'blobbing' the nail paint randomly on my nail.
3) Again, I waited until the blobs were fully dry then I got my kebab stick to add the definition around the blobs. Now, a kebab stick probably isn't the easiest or best tool to use but it worked for me as it had a pointed end that I could dip in and out of the nail polish. I could have used a brush but I don't think it would have achieved the same precision.

I used Illamasqua Boosh which was a gift from the lovely Mizzworthy. It is my favourite black!

I applied the black around the pink blobs. I did this in a broken, disjointed manner. If it looks too neat you don't achieve the leopard print appearance. I also added a couple of random black blobs for affect.
4) Finally, once dried I added a topcoat then repeated on my right hand - which is waaaay harder if you are right handed like me.

And here is the finished result! What d'ya think?
The whole process really wasn't as time consuming as I thought it would be, maybe about 30-40 minutes. It really depends on your polish and how quickly it dries.
Now I know how easy it can be, I can't wait to try out some other patterns and colours on my nails.

What do you think of nail art?

x

This isn't just ordinary nail colour ... this is M&S nail colour ...

A quick trip to Marks & Spencers for a birthday card last night and I end up face to face with a display of nail polish deliberating over which colour to purchase first!

The colours look lovely, the packaging very simple & cute and priced at £2.50, it was only fair that I take one home to try out.

I was drawn to this pastel pinky lilac shade ...
It does apply quite thinly and very streaky so I had to apply 3 coats to ensure it was smooth and opaque. Despite it taking a while to apply the end result was lovely and I am really pleased with the colour, shine and quality of the nail polish - 24 hours later and still no chipping! :)

I thought the name of this particular nail colour was simply 'pastel' as per the bottom of the bottle but looking at the website it may indeed be called 'Lilac'.

For £2.50 it's an absolute steal so go and get your hands on some!

x