Autumn/Winter nails

First things first, we need to clear something up. I am AWFUL, I repeat AWFUL at painting nails (excuse the capitals; I am virtually shouting for emphasis). But I felt like blogging about some new products I have recently bought, so here goes!

For this manicure I have two 'statement' nails and the rest are painted gold. One nail is a fur textured nail and the other has a crackle polish. This look features a lot of warm colours and is perfect for an event or simply to be worn during the day.

First, paint all of your nails (except the one you want to be furry) in a gold coloured polish. I used a mini polish from 17 however the choice is yours as to which polish you choose! 

For the furry nail I used MUA's fur effect nails in the shade 'Fluff & Cuddles' which is a gorgeous burgundy colour. Paint your nail in a shade that matches the fur you will be using, I used a random red colour I found in my room as it was the closest I have to burgundy! Apply two coats and whilst the second is wet, pop on the nail fur. Now, I have been reading so many blogs about this product, before I went to buy it, and a lot of them suggest to remove the plastic sieve and to use tweezers to apply the fluff. Following their advice, I covered my nail in a mountain of fur. Don't worry if it looks lumpy at this stage-trust me! Then after allowing a few moments for the polish to dry a little, brush off the excess back into the pot. I use a benefit blush brush that came with my Coralista powder and it definitely does the trick! Applying the nail fur takes a bit of practice, however at £3 each they are a bargain buy for adorable autumn nails! I found the blogs 'Mademoiselle LaLa' and 'Little Gemm' useful, when learning to use the nail fur!

 

Pick another nail that you want to be a "statement nail", I chose my index finger. Once your gold polish has dried, apply a shatter polish on top. I used OPI's 'Superbass Shatter' polish, which leads me to believe it's from the Nicki Minaj range. I actually picked up this polish from the 99p store, yes you heard that right the 99p store! I have always seen OPI as quite a high end brand, so I jumped at the chance of owning a nail polish from their brand as they are renowned for making fab products. Apply a thin coat of the polish and watch the magic happen. Don't worry if the polish looks too thin, just wait for it to shatter, if you reapply you'll ruin the effect! Although the colour isn't nearly as gorgeous on the nail, as it is in the bottle, you can't really go wrong for 99p can you? Lastly, I applied a glitter polish from Primark for an extra sparkle! 

 

Hart and Home

I recently purchased something from Hart & Home, who sell home wear, interior and lifestyle goods as well as beautiful accessories. The products have a real vintage feel to them but with a modern twist. What really caught my eye was their selection of macaroon trinket boxes for only £5 a pop. They come in an array of mouth-watering pastel shades; however the mint green took my fancy. The box fastens with a cute little gold bow at the front. The macaroon holds my favourite ring on my dressing table to I can always find it without that flush of panic, thinking I've lost it!

Another selection of products also took my fancy; Hart and Home have the most gorgeous selection of porcelain animal necklaces, featuring anything from ducks to giraffes. These statement, yet simplistic, pieces are only £15 each and would certainly add vintage/shabby chic vibe to any outfit! They also have many other animal themed items including porcelain fox rings and an array of pug and bulldog necklaces that certainly have character! Another popular product is their vintage looking engraved silver cutlery that looks just fantastic and would spruce up any table.

If anything has caught your eye or want to continue browsing the Aladdin's cave that is Hart and Home, click here to reach their Tumblr page. They are currently working on a website, however if you are interested in any products, there is a contact information of the page! 

 

 

Get the look: Ruby Tandoh

I don't know about those of you reading this, but I am an avid viewer of 'The Great British Bake Off'. I have watched series upon series, however 2013 contestant Ruby's outfit really stood out to me in one of the first episodes.

Photo from Daily Mail website (BBC)

I think her look gives off laid-back and bohemian vibes and I really wanted to try and emulate her style. 

For make up, I went back to basics, applying a neutral shadow with a darker brown liner on my upper and lower lids. I filled in my eyebrows, for extra definition and added a few coats of mascara. To finish, I popped some concealer some of my blemishes and added a light pink blusher to the apples of my cheeks.

For hair, I created a centre parting, and as I have completely straight hair I decided to curl it. Using the 'Babyliss pro hairdressing' wand, I curled the front sections of hair that frame my face. I then ran my fingers through the ringlets, that I created by curling small pieces of hair, to ensure the curls looked natural and fluffy. I then gathered the hair into a low bun, against the back of my neck. This look would also look well with a loose plait I think! 

Finally, for the outfit! I wore my Miss Selfridge blue marble wash jeans. For me, they were a bit of a splurge but they are good quality and I know that they will be a long-lasting staple piece in my wardrobe. Plus, they're super comfy!  Although Ruby wears a white tank top on the show, I am wearing a black long sleeved t-shirt to adapt the look so it's suitable for Autumn and Winter. I fell in love with Ruby's bo-ho cardigan and I was able to find a similar one in good old Primarni. This grey and earth tone cardi was only £14 and I love the way it fits. It feels baggy and comfy yet fitted at the same time which is always a good thing as you get the best of both worlds! 

Finally, I topped off the look with a pair of gold hoops. Ruby's are silver, but I only had gold-plus I think that the colour ties I really nicely with the earth tones of the cardigan. 

Thank you for reading and putting up with an especially long babble this time!