tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23227738386487549032024-03-13T00:48:28.484+00:00the little curly girl"There was a little girl who had a little curl, right in the middle of her forehead. When she was good, she was very, very good. And when she was bad, she was horrid..."frankihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02806962918030662754noreply@blogger.comBlogger207125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2322773838648754903.post-16105932392104079302013-01-27T15:00:00.000+00:002013-01-27T15:00:08.111+00:00A cheeky skincare and body haul...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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If you follow me on <a href="http://instagram.com/littlecurlygirl/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>, you might have seen the photo I posted yesterday of my bags of goodies from the Harvey Nichols Beauty Bazaar. I made a list at the start of the month of beauty products I desperately wanted to get my mitts on and since Friday was pay day, I could finally justify taking a little trip to town (braving the horrendous snow, I might add) to go and spend some moneys.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvAQya_iVZRkB8xrVUIfEr6PKc_N6hyAcZw71DE8hyphenhyphenjmRspSruasn5UGthYeuUtCwysG-DKHG3cizMvmz3uiYOhUGSXBk6B16mokQ2dCag0_wo9JbPMSZvXj5AyOZr2dyQSav4mA7LPY_z/s1600/IMG_0360.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvAQya_iVZRkB8xrVUIfEr6PKc_N6hyAcZw71DE8hyphenhyphenjmRspSruasn5UGthYeuUtCwysG-DKHG3cizMvmz3uiYOhUGSXBk6B16mokQ2dCag0_wo9JbPMSZvXj5AyOZr2dyQSav4mA7LPY_z/s576/IMG_0360.JPG" /></a></div>
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Now as I mentioned in yesterday's post, I'm something of a Youtube beauty channel addict and I'd say that the majority of things purchased yesterday were down to one blogger in particular. Step forward <a href="http://www.viviannadoesmakeup.com/" target="_blank">Anna</a>. I pretty much want to buy every product she's ever spoken about ever, and since she frequently sings the praises of Origins Drink Up Intensive overnight mask, that was top of my list of things to buy once pay day came around. I think my skin has been suffering from the weather recently and going from the freezing cold outside to the central heated inside hasn't been doing it any favours, so I figured a really intensive hydrating mask could be a big help. When I got to the Origins counter however, the very helpful lady told me that they were giving away a free gift if you purchased two products. Perfect - just the excuse I needed to convince myself that I should probably definitely have a nosey through the exciting Origins shelves and buy more stuff.</div>
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I stumbled across the lovely Brightening Musts set which contains a full size tube of VitaZing, a 30ml tube of Modern Friction and a little pot of GinZing all for just £26 and just knew that I had to have it! Since the VitaZing on it's own normally costs £27, I thought that it was pretty flippin' bargainous! I'm not sure about other Origins counters, but if you're in Liverpool, get down to the Beauty Bazaar pronto and snap up one of these sets!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6AVtSnxgI0bsM_jjNOTwDuQoB1afx1DV6DIgP5oE5l5uyoj0E5Uk60CRYPgZqox2U9bdB_-52lDOaWoGX9gTm9cDz6o1BmqV3LB5R6Th67mdPm6l1PRDXUiAM7pymP4w19AfsAVSTnVEi/s1600/IMG_0359.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6AVtSnxgI0bsM_jjNOTwDuQoB1afx1DV6DIgP5oE5l5uyoj0E5Uk60CRYPgZqox2U9bdB_-52lDOaWoGX9gTm9cDz6o1BmqV3LB5R6Th67mdPm6l1PRDXUiAM7pymP4w19AfsAVSTnVEi/s576/IMG_0359.JPG" /></a></div>
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Of course, because I'd purchased two items (well, technically four), I got my free gift, which consisted of the Plantscription serum (15ml) a super pretty headband with Swarovski crystals on it (so unnecessary but so cute) AND a full size Starting Over moisturizer which normally costs £38! All for free! Origins, I think we're going to be good friends...</div>
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I think I might actually give the moisturizer to my Mum, because I'm THAT nice and also because I'd already purchased the This Works Perfect Skin Super Moisturizer (another Anna recommendation...) before I went to Origins. I feel like I'm constantly on a search for the perfect moisturizer - so I'm hoping that this, which seems like a good all rounder (it's actually a moisturiser and a serum in one) could be the one for me.</div>
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Finally, I left the Beauty Bazaar and headed over to Boots to grab a couple of slightly more budget beauty buys. Firstly the Botanics Rejuvenating Bath Elixir (which, yes Anna has also spoken about before... this is starting to get a bit embarassing...) plus a pair of oh so glamourous exfoliating gloves. Even though I use a body scrub regularly (currently it's Soap & Glory's Breakfast Scrub, which I have to stop myself from trying to eat every time I use it because it smells that AMAZING), I think a good rub with a pair of these gloves can be a big help when trying to slough away all of that nasty dead skin, as well getting the blood flowing (not really sure why that's important, but it definitely is). I think they cost about £3 so they're very purse-friendly.</div>
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So that's everything. I'm ridiculously excited about trying everything out, and maybe even doing a couple of reviews once I've had a bit of time to use it all properly! Ooooh don't you just love new things!!!</div>
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<i>Have you tried any of the products above? What did you think? Got any other Origins recommendations for me? I fear this may become a bit of an addiction...</i></div>
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frankihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02806962918030662754noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2322773838648754903.post-52503881396860383882013-01-26T18:04:00.000+00:002013-01-26T18:04:55.974+00:00Oh bloody hell, she's back...<div style="text-align: justify;">
So I'm not really sure how to start this post... I could just gloss over the fact that I've not blogged since last Summer and carry on as if nothing's happened, but that'd be silly. At the same time, I'm not keen on going into a long ramble about how I lost my blogging mojo and how sorry I am and blah blah blah, because realistically, nobody cares and also, excuses are boring. Basically, I stopped blogging for a bit, I'm back now, hopefully for the long haul, but who even knows what the future holds? Certainly not me. Now quit yo' bellyaching and let's get on with it shall we? Or something... </div>
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Anyway, I thought I'd make this first post a bit of an update, since a few things have changed since I last posted many, many moons ago. I've moved in with Joe - you may remember that we got a new house and Joe was doing TONS of work on it, so we couldn't move in straight away. Moving day just kept getting pushed further and further back, until eventually we had to move in, even though there was still lots to do. We moved in September (I can't believe how long it's been already!) and there is still a fair amount of work to do (I know, it's ridiculous, but there really was SO MUCH to sort out in this house!), but we're getting there. Some rooms are fabulous (our bathroom is pretty much the nicest room in the house - it has a TV, which is the world's most unnecessary thing ever but is still quite cool) and some still have a long way to go, but it's nice to have our own space nevertheless.
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<i>Keeping up with the Kardashians in the bath... because I can...</i></div>
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I also changed jobs. I actually really liked my job in Chester but the commute was a killer and I'm really not an early morning kind of girl. So when my boss at the beauty spa and clinic I interned at in 2011 asked me to come back and be her Marketing Manager, I couldn't really say no. It's been a hectic few months, as we've just recently launched another clinic, but I'm loving it and while I do still have to get two buses (damn you inability to drive!), it's nowhere near as long a journey as I had when I was going to Chester every day. </div>
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To most normal people, this isn't really a big deal, but to me it is. Finally, about 12 years after everybody else, I got an iPhone. I randomly lost my old reliable LG one day and decided that it was about time I finally bit the bullet and joined the Apple brigade. I think the main selling point for me was Instagram and apps in general. (I know you don't have to have an iPhone for Instagram but shhh!) I've become a bit addicted to it, although I don't think I actually make use of all the clever things it can do. I mainly just use it for phone-related stuff, checking Facebook and watching YouTube videos on the way to and from work. In the words of Marge from Monsters Inc "I'm always watching".
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It's bad really, because I used to always read on the bus, which I felt was good for my brain and stuff, but now I just obsessively watch beauty videos, which just end up fueling my craving for expensive beauty products. In terms of blogging though, this iPhone is going to turn out to be pretty darn useful, since a lot of my stuff is packed away in the loft including my camera charger and my Flip video camera that I use for vlogging. So, while I won't be able to film videos for a while (I can't face attempting to find it among all the boxes in the loft), I can at least take photos, since the iPhone camera's a good'un.</div>
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Before this post spirals out of control and I start telling you about every single thing I've been doing over the past seven months, I'm going to end it here. Don't worry, I'll be back tomorrow with slightly more exciting subject matter - I went shopping today and bought a fair few exciting beauty products (probably all of which have at some point or other been mentioned by a Youtube beauty blogger and added to my mental list of "things I MUST own". Until then kids, keep out of trouble.</div>
frankihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02806962918030662754noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2322773838648754903.post-72760346041677165882012-07-03T19:00:00.000+01:002012-07-03T19:00:01.271+01:00POTM - June 2012<div style="text-align: justify;">
I'm looking a bit...weird in the screen shot for this video, but, as with the majority of pictures of me, it was the best of a bad bunch! Youtube only gives you the option of three screen grabs from the video and all three of them were awful. I know if you're a clever video editing type, you can insert a specific image into the vid, but after my brief brush with video editing last year, I've decided to stay away, I hate it!<br />
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Anyway, here's my latest POTM offering - I've been feeling summery this month, which I think is reflected in the products I've chosen to talk about...</div>
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<b>Products featured:</b><br />
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<a href="http://www.boots.com/en/Revlon-ColorBurst-8482-Lip-Butter_1252852/" target="_blank">Revlon ColorBurst Lip Butter</a> in Tutti Frutti <br />
Primark neon nail varnish set (not available online)<br />
<a href="http://www.boots.com/en/Essie-Nail-Colour_1255419/" target="_blank">Essie Nail Colour</a> in Sand Tropez<br />
<a href="http://www.st-tropez.com/gradual-tan-spray" target="_blank">St Tropez Gradual Tan Everyday Spray</a><br />
<a href="http://www.st-tropez.com/gradual-tan-everyday-face-medium-dark" target="_blank">St Tropez Gradual Everyday Face</a> in Medium/Dark<br />
<a href="http://www.boots.com/en/Jergens-Natural-Cocoa-Butter-200ml_1040151/" target="_blank">Jergens Natural Cocoa Butter </a><br />
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<i>What do you think? Are you in a fake tan frenzy at the moment? Are you a fan of St Tropez or are you more of a cheap and cheerful St Moritz girl?</i></div>frankihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02806962918030662754noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2322773838648754903.post-11814984055108620102012-06-27T19:00:00.000+01:002012-06-27T19:00:06.368+01:00A cheeky update<div style="text-align: justify;">
Hi folks! I'm writing this from my desk at work - don't worry, I'm on my lunch break, not skiving - as this seems to be the only free time I have at the moment. As I've already mentioned, my commute to work is nearly two hours each way, which doesn't leave me with much time to myself in the evenings. Joe and I still haven't moved into our new house as there's lots of work being done on it, however, quite a bit of my spare time (and a lot of his, as he's doing most of the work!) is being spent on sorting things out for it; I spent most of Sunday painting the newly plastered ceilings in our bedroom and bathroom. My arms were killing me by the time I'd finished, as I was using a roller on a big pole so that I could reach and it was seriously hard work! Still got a lot more painting to do, but maybe I'll end up with super-toned arms? Here's hoping...</div>
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Anyway, I thought I'd do an update post for June as I've not done one in a while and I like talking about things that I like... because, well, I like them! (Don't I have a way with words?)</div>
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<b>I'm currently loving;</b></div>
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<b>Once Upon A Time</b>. If you've not heard of this, it's kind of understandable as it's on Channel 5, which is the one terestrial channel I (and most other people) never seem to watch. The basic premise is that the evil queen from Snow White banished a load of fairytale characters to a town in modern day America, however none of them have any memory of their previous lives. So Snow White is a schoolteacher and Jiminy Cricket is a therapist. Anyway, it's down to Emma, a bounty hunter, (and also Snow White's daughter, just to confuse things...) to beat the evil queen, aka the mayor of Storybrooke (yep, that's the name of the town). It sounds silly and it is to be honest, but I'm a big fan of fairytales and I like how it flashes back and forward from the fairytale world to the present day. Plus, I love love love Ginnifer Goodwin, who plays Snow White. She's such a cutie! </div>
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<b>Obnoxiously neon nails</b>. Seems like everyone's rocking the neon at the moment. I bought a box of four cute little neon nail polishes from Primark a few weeks ago but I only tried the green polish recently. I've had so many compliments... or maybe just comments from people remarking on how bright the colour is. I think it was about £3 for the four polishes, which is rather bargainous, considering, as <a href="http://flyingsaucer.typepad.com/flyingsaucer/2012/06/nails-of-the-week-19.html" target="_blank">Selena pointed out recently</a>, no other high street makeup brands seem to be doing neon nail polish and the American Apparel one, while lovely, is also a bit on the expensive side.</div>
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<b>No7 Vouchers.</b> Boots have done it again and brought back those pesky £5 No7 vouchers. I can't resist them, it's so silly! I'm currently absolutely fine when it comes to beauty and skincare products, I have everything I need and am not running low on anything, yet every time I get a voucher I just *have* to buy something. They were initially due to expire on 17th June so I spent my last voucher and breathed a sigh of relief that there'd be no more coming, only to be informed by the sales assistant that they've now brought a new voucher out that doesn't expire until July. Aaaargh! I've now managed to accumulate two more (I practically live in Boots...) so I'm sure my ever-growing collection of No7 products will soon be growing a bit more...<br />
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<b>Buyapowa</b>. I mentioned this in my most recent vlog, but <a href="http://www.buyapowa.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Buyapowa</a> is a seriously addictive site. Basically, it's a co-buy site, so the price of something drops the more people sign up to buy it. They get loads of high-end beauty products on the site, so it's a great way to get your mitts on things that you can't justify buying at full price. I recently bought OPI Nail Envy from there (check out the massive box it came in! They clearly got a bit packaging-happy on that one) and I'm constantly eyeing up the 'coming up' section of the site as they list everything they'll be selling over the next few weeks. Guttingly, I've missed the Caudalie Beauty Elixir co-buy twice; I assume it must sell really quickly because of how much hype it's received. Next time, you're mine you elusive little bugger!</div>
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<b>This video</b>. Oh my days. I am the biggest musical fangirl ever so this to me is way too exciting. I love Hugh Jackman and I'm sure he'll be amazing as he's done actual Broadway shows anyway. I'm intrigued to hear Russell Crowe singing though as I just can't imagine it and his character has an amazing song near the end. Also, I love the fact that Samantha Barks, who was one of the contestants of I'd Do Anything (the Andrew Lloyd Webber TV show where they were looking for someone to play Nancy in Oliver!) has got the part of Eponine, which is, most would argue, the best female part in the show. She's only 21, comes from the Isle of Mann and made her name on a TV talent show. Now she's in a massive Hollywood movie alongside some of the world's biggest stars! Amazing. It was rumoured that Taylor Swift was going to play the part, but she's rubbish and has an annoying face so I think they made the right decision.<br />
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Anyway, that's enough musical rambling - apologies if you're not a fan of musicals at all, but I really, really am! We now return you to your regularly scheduled programming... </div>
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<b>I'm currently hating;</b></div>
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<b>Whoever makes the buying decisions at Boots in Liverpool</b>. As much as I love Boots (and I mean LOVE it), the Liverpool one is frequently disappointing me. I think I mentioned a while back that I found it bizarre that they stocked every type of Denman brush possible, apart from the backcombing brush (or 'Dressing Out Brush' as it's officially called), despite the fact that Liverpool is quite obviously the backcombing capital of the world. After weeks of frequently checking the brush section of the store just in case it was out of stock, I gave up and bought it from Amazon instead. No big deal, but I just found it weird. Well I've been disappointed again this month by promises of Essie polishes that simply haven't been fulfilled. As you probably know, the Essie diffusion line is now available in some branches of Boots and Superdrug, which is wonderful news for a nail varnish obsessive such as I. Unfortunately though, once again, Boots have let me down; no Essies at all! Why would they do this? Why? WHY?! Luckily, there's a Boots not far from where I work, so I've taken a couple of lunchtime trips with my partner in nail varnish related crime and got my mitts on a couple of bottles. But still, I'm not happy. Liverpool Boots, sort it out!</div>
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<b>Lazy writing (Fifty Shades of Grey)</b>. So there's been a lot of hype recently surrounding a rather (and by rather I mean really really really) racy book by the name of Fifty Shades of Grey. Being the massive FOMO-sufferer that I am (FOMO = Fear Of Missing Out) I quickly headed to Waterstones and bought a copy of this supposedly brilliant book. Oh how foolish I was. To be fair, I don't know what I was expecting because I had already heard that it was a rudey so I should have know it was never going to be some kind of life-changing reading experience. Even so, it is crap. I'm a few chapters in and it's not so much that the story is crap (which it is) but the writing is so damn lazy! Maybe it's because I did English Literature at uni so I'm a bit overly critical when it comes to novels, but MY GOD, it's so badly written. For example, the protagonist (Ana Steele, who is a massive dweeb) frequently refers to her best friend Kate as being 'tenacious'. By frequently, I mean, IT IS THE ONLY THING SHE SAYS ABOUT HER. This is Kate. She is tenacious and nothing more. That's only one example but it's one that's really stuck with me and pissed me the hell off. I'm very tempted to send a strongly worded letter to E L James advising her to invest in a good thesaurus. E L James, learn some new words! Apparently, the novel started life as a piece of Twilight fanfiction and you can definitely see similarities between the main characters of the two books, which also annoys me, because surely, SURELY nobody would want to base their characters on Edward and Bella would they? They're rubbish! Anyway, apologies if you've read the book and liked it, because I know a lot of people have. I doubt I'll bother to finish it as I don't want to waste valuable reading time on what is basically a weird, X-rated Edward and Bella fantasy when I could be reading something, you know, good.<br />
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Yeesh, that turned into a bit of a rant there! Apologies folks, but sometimes I have a lot of anger.<br />
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<i>Have you read Fifty Shades of Grey? What are your thoughts on neon nail polish? How do you feel about your nearest branch of Boots? Tell me things and make me happy! </i></div>frankihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02806962918030662754noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2322773838648754903.post-71923425684538620082012-06-03T11:10:00.000+01:002012-06-03T11:10:23.680+01:00Products of the Month - May 2012<div style="text-align: justify;">
This is probably the most organised I've been with a monthly favourites video in AGES!</div>
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<b>Products featured;</b><br />
<a href="http://www.feelunique.com/p/Moroccanoil-Intense-Curl-Cream-300ml" target="_blank">Moroccan Oil Intense Curl Cream</a>,<br />
<a href="http://www.sleekmakeup.com/en/products/au-naturel-i-divine-498.aspx" target="_blank">Sleek i-Divine Palette in Au Naturel</a>,<br />
<a href="http://www.superdrug.com/eyes/maybelline-illegal-lengths-mascara-black/invt/354851/" target="_blank">Maybelline Illegal Length Mascara</a>,
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Topshop Nails in Waterlily, (not currently available on the Topshop site)<br />
Angelica Nail Colour in Heartbreaker, (can't find this online so it must only be available from Primark)<br />
<a href="http://www.tokyo-milk.com/products/let-them-eat-cake-tin-candle-no-11" target="_blank">Tokyo Milk candle in Let The Eat Cake</a>,<br />
<a href="http://www.superdrug.com/dove/dove-summer-glow-lotion-fair-to-normal-250ml/invt/247774/" target="_blank">Dove Summer Glow Moisturiser for Fair to Normal Skin</a>,
</div>frankihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02806962918030662754noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2322773838648754903.post-76249014807969744642012-05-21T21:15:00.000+01:002012-05-21T23:21:12.960+01:00NOTD - Pretty Pastels<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTYIjt0fvlPoZF0WLv1nF9ECM96lwgagtRDtqLtOVgVEqfFJwwSJOi-Z3CadBrlmtxyvhH00fYtg5zqAzLSiF6VpqHOaTYzG0vjgRgIXXczRZgTxOn_02JClP5iezsMhl1pm-VXq_-gxSe/s1600/image_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTYIjt0fvlPoZF0WLv1nF9ECM96lwgagtRDtqLtOVgVEqfFJwwSJOi-Z3CadBrlmtxyvhH00fYtg5zqAzLSiF6VpqHOaTYzG0vjgRgIXXczRZgTxOn_02JClP5iezsMhl1pm-VXq_-gxSe/s576/image_2.jpg" /></a></div>
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I'm aware that this is another Topshop-centric post, but I couldn't not share these beauties with you. Milkshake and Waterlily are two of my absolute faves at the moment - perfectly pretty pastels that make me think of sugary sweet treats like sorbet, cupcakes and macaroons (macarons? I'm never sure...). I tend to go through colour phases with nail varnish; sometimes I'm all about the crazy brights, other times I'm into moody darks or neutrals. At the moment though, I'm love love loving pastels. Waterlily in particular, the palest lilac, is one of the rare colours in my collection that I'm quite happy to wear on my nails day in, day out. This never happens! I almost always get sick of a colour after a couple of days and venture back to my box of goodies to see what I can replace it with. Not so with this one though; I've worn it practically non-stop since I bought it two weeks ago.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEJWqLeWbcsrmpcAmyr9_59t2colIUrGPYsH1bcRalhHNKEQt5YiWo6XProuv6txuhavJCYdraeS7HSBiL2Kbvj5WZb87LPpIUxJKBUaJCoGahDA8cMyVWDul0HtydlRH9lRZlJMIzudfV/s1600/image_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEJWqLeWbcsrmpcAmyr9_59t2colIUrGPYsH1bcRalhHNKEQt5YiWo6XProuv6txuhavJCYdraeS7HSBiL2Kbvj5WZb87LPpIUxJKBUaJCoGahDA8cMyVWDul0HtydlRH9lRZlJMIzudfV/s576/image_1.jpg" /></a></div>
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<i>Topshop Nails in Milkshake and Waterlily</i><br />
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In other nail news, my nail-obsessed friend Jenni and I ventured into Boots today to check out the Essie collection (we enable each other). It's a pretty impressive range; they really do have a lot of colours, although I felt that lots of them were quite samey - there were three dark reds that I couldn't actually tell the difference between, although they all had different names. Anyway, I restrained myself and just bought one colour, Peach Daquiri, which is a lovely bright corally pink. I realised however, when I got home that it is pretty much exactly the same colour as the Models Own Pro shade, Hot Salmon, doh! It has gotten to the point now that my nail varnish collection is so vast, I'm actually managing to forget what colours I already own. Ridiculous.</div>
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One more thing; if you're a blogger, I really recommend that you have a little look at <a href="http://heartifb.com/2012/05/08/more-is-more-20-essential-traffic-driving/" target="_blank">this post</a> from IFB. I read it last night and I'm feeling very inspired at the moment. I set up a Pinterest account a while ago but haven't really used it, but after reading that post, I've decided to make more use of it and pin some of my blog pics on there (hence the shiny new watermarks). If you're on Pinterest, <a href="http://pinterest.com/littlecurlygirl" target="_blank">follow me</a>!</div>
</div>frankihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02806962918030662754noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2322773838648754903.post-21889340126937787172012-05-16T19:00:00.000+01:002012-05-16T19:00:00.817+01:00A small but passionate love affair with Topshop makeup<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOEfSvjP1qLuXV5fLd20hbZEelORqpvvSs9JFkb37LKaXrTGA0hGMBfebGEWTASLxZ-TD4SQdOXyUUprH43c3W-b6RDDjL3N5uhLnlBa4wmeF9D-TwxC4f1W86do5Nvt-cryLtht0j4VDZ/s1600/P1040092.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOEfSvjP1qLuXV5fLd20hbZEelORqpvvSs9JFkb37LKaXrTGA0hGMBfebGEWTASLxZ-TD4SQdOXyUUprH43c3W-b6RDDjL3N5uhLnlBa4wmeF9D-TwxC4f1W86do5Nvt-cryLtht0j4VDZ/s576/P1040092.JPG" /></a></div>
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I think it's safe to say that I've raved about Topshop's makeup range on my blog a fair bit. While I don't own loads of the products, I've got a few items from each product type (nail varnish, lipstick etc) and I pretty much love them all.<br />
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I don't often do these kinds of posts, because, as you know, I'm embarrassingly crap when it comes to taking product photos and it ends up taking me forever just to get a few useable snaps. However, the products are all so pretty and I really wanted to share my collection so I bit the bullet and, armed with my camera, plenty of natural light and a floral duvet cover (these seem to be the requirements for successful product photos), I got snap happy...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdie65BNEZSQys7Lri0L7glqX91sNmbyjZSYNejSHvD33kuTWvZ962VgsXsVst4DhAJ4nPNdPgIpu7s3MzqjcVZJgK9Wo2pjRYrhwsBur6Szq6TXZ1kAJrJKlepIFoT4dfIntqxRIM2XHZ/s1600/P1040030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdie65BNEZSQys7Lri0L7glqX91sNmbyjZSYNejSHvD33kuTWvZ962VgsXsVst4DhAJ4nPNdPgIpu7s3MzqjcVZJgK9Wo2pjRYrhwsBur6Szq6TXZ1kAJrJKlepIFoT4dfIntqxRIM2XHZ/s576/P1040030.JPG" /></a></div>
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<i>From left to right: Stolen Sapphires, Milkshake, Mannequin, Grunge</i><br />
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Every time I go into Topshop and drool over the makeup stand, I get a bit overwhelmed by the sheer number of nail colours. They're so beautious! As you can see, I've only got a handful (I've actually got five, but Waterlily isn't pictured here as I'd left it at Joe's) but I fully intend to change that. The consistency of these polishes is fab, they're lovely and creamy and I love the colour pay off you get from them. Milkshake and Mannequin are two of my faves, as I'm really enjoying pastels and pale colours at the moment. I bought Stolen Sapphires ages ago and I do like the colour - it reminds me of blue biro - but I just don't wear it very often (along with about 90% of the other colours in my nail varnish box...). Grunge is probably the only one I'm not a big fan of; it looks gorgeous in the bottle, a sort of shimmery khaki-gold, but one coat of it is too thin and two coats of it make it too dark and the shimmer doesn't show up very well, so I don't really bother with it. It was a part of the Heavy Duty collection, which I've just realised came out in 2010 (that was ages ago!) so you wouldn't be able to get your hands on it now anyway, but to be honest, you're not missing much.</div>
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<i>Blush in Pop (powder) and Neon Rose (cream)</i><br />
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The blushes have been one of the standout products since the collection launched in 2010, and with good reason. The cream blushes in particular have been a big hit, with bloggers raving about Neon Rose and Flush, which I also had, but used it all up and decided to give Neon Rose a go instead. I think I actually prefer Flush as it's a little paler and a little pinker, but Neon Rose is also lovely. Pop is a very similar shade, but in powder form, so occasionally I layer the two to make my blush last even longer. Both are incredibly pigmented and blend really well, so you only need to use a little bit, which means they'll last for ages. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDk3BEVPcmicFYyTu6Un97WJ-WMa5X7f_I6R2iDtLuGoPxukSRxvKjEwink3OQNF9SEGd0yABO2KpUCtDCqYx8dTVeFOOGjK4aiWo6Qh3Vn94SR2j1QZqeqLlNVjzxPp8Su0lF3YpDu2Ro/s1600/P1040055.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDk3BEVPcmicFYyTu6Un97WJ-WMa5X7f_I6R2iDtLuGoPxukSRxvKjEwink3OQNF9SEGd0yABO2KpUCtDCqYx8dTVeFOOGjK4aiWo6Qh3Vn94SR2j1QZqeqLlNVjzxPp8Su0lF3YpDu2Ro/s576/P1040055.JPG" /></a></div>
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<i>Left to right: Lips in Whimsical, Brighton Rock, Vamp and Confession, Lipstick in Flame</i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirV1OGt-8qM-ab1ADgG8P5QmhSRsQyDYm11-kU1AO2QQgtzUooeLYjjBC7Y7Tsp2xHwkP4oJhCbTt8AJtewRuK7Ge5ersfmxbzFp1b5Ha0tKyAr3dMd6VzwaynXLTOaMFkCMVH5iwR699l/s1600/P1040054.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirV1OGt-8qM-ab1ADgG8P5QmhSRsQyDYm11-kU1AO2QQgtzUooeLYjjBC7Y7Tsp2xHwkP4oJhCbTt8AJtewRuK7Ge5ersfmxbzFp1b5Ha0tKyAr3dMd6VzwaynXLTOaMFkCMVH5iwR699l/s576/P1040054.JPG" /></a></div>
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I've only recently really gotten into the lip products as I wasn't much of a lipstick wearer until this year. Whimsical is the newest addition to my collection; it photographed a bit more nude than it actually is; it's more of a pale pinky coral in real life, with a matte finish. All of the lipsticks are really pigmented and apply beautifully. Unlike other lipsticks I've tried, these are a lot less drying on the lips and while others tend to go a bit patchy as the day wears on, these just fade really nicely, making touching up your lipstick a lot easier. Confession, the lovely bright coral is one that I reach for a lot (you know I love my coral shades!) but Brighton Rock is also a great one for Summer.<br />
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<i>Eyes in Mercury</i></div>
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The eyeshadow is probably the only makeup product I've been seriously unimpressed with. I bought this as I thought it'd be a good one to use for evening makeup but the colour pay off isn't great and it doesn't blend as easily as other shadows I've used so I've probably only used it once or twice. Disappointing! Maybe it's just this colour though? Has anybody else tried the eyeshadows and had a better experience than me?<br />
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<i>Crayon in Sun Shower</i><br />
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While the eyeshadow isn't very good, the eye Crayon is absolutely brilliant! This was actually the first product I bought when Topshop Makeup first launched and I've still got a bit left even though this is something I've used time and time again. The pigmentation is amazing, it's super sparkly and you can either draw it straight onto the eye to get a really intense gold colour, or blend it out for a more subtle look. This was part of the 2010 Trend collection, so it's no longer available, but last time I was in the store I saw that they're doing Crayons in the normal black and white packaging and I'm sure there's one similar to this. Wahey!<br />
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So that's my collection - not small but not quite as massive as I'd like - believe me, I'd buy a lot more if I could justify it to myself. (which I most definitely can't!)<br />
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<i>Do you use Topshop Makeup? What are your favourite products? </i>frankihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02806962918030662754noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2322773838648754903.post-55099996254075080742012-05-09T19:00:00.000+01:002012-05-09T19:00:01.407+01:00Just a quickie<div style="text-align: justify;">
While I have been pretty absent on the old blogging front lately, I've still been reading loads of blogs and watching a ton of Youtube videos. I thought I'd share some of the sites and channels I've really been enjoying lately (some are new, some have been going for ages, but I've only recently discovered their brilliantness)</div>
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<b>Blogs</b></div>
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<a href="http://romeoandthelonelygirl.com/">Romeo and the Lonely Girl</a></div>
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One of the small number of bloggers I actually know in real life, Zoe is a lovely lady with fab style and something of an obsession with Ryan Gosling. If you're a music buff, you'll love her blog as she seriously knows her stuff when it comes to cool bands (basically, if I've never heard of them, they're probably cool...)</div>
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<a href="http://www.o-h-f.blogspot.co.uk/">Operation: Head Fuck</a></div>
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This is my sister Olivia's blog - you probably shouldn't read it if you're easily offended as she does have a tendency to get a bit sweary (note the name of the blog). It's not really fashion or beauty related, more just random thoughts, musings and rants, but it is a hilarious read (and I'm not just saying that because we're sisters!)</div>
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<a href="http://keepglamrockon.blogspot.co.uk/">Keep Glam and Rock On</a></div>
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This is my other sister, Isabel's blog (yes, we seem to be something of a blogging family!) She's a bit more like me; into pretty dresses and beauty products galore, but being 16, she is infinitely cooler than I am.</div>
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<b>Youtube</b></div>
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<a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/Sprinkleofglitter?ob=0">Sprinkle of Glitter</a>
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I've been a long-time subscriber to the amazing <a href="http://schoee.blogspot.co.uk/">Zoella</a>, in fact, she may be one of the first bloggers I really started following. Her pal Louise frequently appears in her videos and is very, very funny, so I recently decided to start following her channel as well; cue even more laughter!</div>
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<a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/essiebutton?ob=0">Essie Button</a></div>
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Estee is a lovely Canadian girlie who lives in London and is very entertaining. I also think that she and her boyfriend, who is called ASLAN are serious contenders for the couple with the most awesome names in the world! (Kind of makes me want to force Joe to change his name to Gandalf and start calling myself Coco or something...) </div>
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<a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/meganisobel?feature=chclk">Megan Isobel</a></div>
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The roommate of Estee (loving all these interconnected bloggers!) and another lovely lady. One of her recent videos led me to to the discovery that is actually possible to thread your own eyebrows, who knew?!</div>
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So those are some of the blogs and vlogs I've been loving lately. I'm always on the lookout for more, so if you've got any recommendations, please let me know in the comments!</div>frankihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02806962918030662754noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2322773838648754903.post-69599726615060851482012-05-08T18:30:00.000+01:002012-05-08T18:30:00.401+01:00Products of the Month - April<div style="text-align: center;">
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Check it out! Two blog posts in two days! I am quite literally a blogging machine!<br />
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Products featured;<br />
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<a href="http://www.boots.com/en/Collection-2000-Metallic-Cream-Eyeshadow_1243457/">Collection 2000 Metallic Cream Eyeshadow</a> (in Gold Rush)<br />
<a href="http://www.beautybay.com/haircare/percyreed/totallytlchydratingmask/">Percy & Reed London Totally TLC Hydrating Mask</a><br />
<a href="http://www.boots.com/en/Benefit-BADgal-lash-mascara_9629/">Benefit BADgal Lash Mascara </a><br />
<a href="http://www.boots.com/en/Rimmel-Wake-Me-Up-Make-Up-Foundation-30ml_1246748/">Rimmel Wake Me Up Foundation</a> (in True Ivory)<br />
<a href="http://www.boots.com/en/Real-Techniques-Core-Collection-1403_1252038/">Real Techniques Core Collection</a><br />
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<i>Have you tried any of these products? What did you think? And what else have you been loving lately? Tell me things!</i> <br />frankihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02806962918030662754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2322773838648754903.post-9742501072381674382012-05-07T18:30:00.000+01:002012-05-07T18:30:02.420+01:00Fade in on a girl with a hunger for fame...<div style="text-align: justify;">
Yes, I know it's been a while and you've probably forgotten that I even exist but guess what, I do! And I'm taking advantage of the (much needed) Bank Holiday to attempt to do some serious blogging. </div>
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Firstly, what the fudge has happened to Blogger?! I disappear for a couple of months and when I come back, everything's weird and new - why does everything have to change, why oh why?!</div>
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Secondly, (and I've mentioned this in my latest Youtube video, which will be on here soon) I really want to completely redesign my blog as I think it looks quite boring, however I have absolutely no idea where to begin, nor do I have the design skillz required for such a task, so if you know of anyone who's good at that sort of thing, please do let me know and I'll love you forever.</div>
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I thought I'd do a monthly update post to get back into the swing of things, here goes...</div>
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<b>I'm currently loving;</b><br />
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<b>Smash.</b> I feel like this show was written for me; it's American, has a bloody good cast, including Jack Davenport (yum) and Debra Messing (love her) and it's about a Broadway musical about Marilyn Monroe. Think Glee for grown-ups. I've only watched two episodes and I'm already addicted.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6wgvgecqF5x3iceM6lFThX-uWQnEJSfzjRt6yVS6Ij3N4yJtNFej5omkcF1FqaL1ssRvJsJulgLnCTn_BbMgbcFc4S1zVRU7o0lnsFJzNXrYAiLUjzQ_AFkrQI_UmVLvjE76O-S83PZIj/s1600/hungergames.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6wgvgecqF5x3iceM6lFThX-uWQnEJSfzjRt6yVS6Ij3N4yJtNFej5omkcF1FqaL1ssRvJsJulgLnCTn_BbMgbcFc4S1zVRU7o0lnsFJzNXrYAiLUjzQ_AFkrQI_UmVLvjE76O-S83PZIj/s576/hungergames.png" /></a></div>
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<b>The Hunger Games.</b> I actually finished reading the trilogy a couple of weeks ago now, so I'm not sure if it can be counted as a 'currently loving', but I just wanted to mention it because it was so good. I really didn't know what to expect from the books, but the trailer for the film looked so exciting that I had to give them a go. Once I got started, I literally couldn't put them down; I think I finished the first book in a day. Yes, they're young adult and yes, they're a bit silly in parts and to be honest I really didn't like how the whole thing ended, but I would really recommend them to anyone with the ability to read. I want to be Katniss Everdeen.</div>
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<b>Primark.</b> Is it just me, or is Primark really flippin' good at the moment? I swear, I'll go in there just to stock up on tights and end up buying a whole new outfit. I feel like it used to be cheap and cheerful but not actually particularly fashion forward, but lately, I've found some real gems in there! Definitely going to be stocking up on lots of their cute dresses for the summer.</div>
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<i>Home Sweet Home...</i><br />
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<b>New house funsies.</b> So as you may or may not know, Joe and I are in the process of moving into our new house. Well, actually the place is a bit of a building site at the moment as Joe's doing a lot of work on it and doesn't think we'll actually be able to live there until July. Even though it's frustrating having to wait, it'll be worth it and I absolutely can't wait to start decorating it and making it pretty. Exciting times!</div>
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<b>I'm currently hating;</b></div>
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<b>John Lewis</b>. It was my Dad's 50th birthday yesterday so my sisters and I decided to club together to get him some extra nice cufflinks. I ended up ordering some Mulberry ones from the John Lewis website and then picked them up from the Liverpool One store on Saturday. When I got home and had a look at them however, I realised that one was perfect but the other one was really badly tarnished. It's so annoying as I didn't have time to take them back to John Lewis, so had to give them to my Dad as planned, but then explain that he couldn't actually have them right now as they need to be exchanged for a non-tarnished pair. I know that shit happens and I'm sure I'll just be able to replace them, but you really don't expect a pair of expensive designer cufflinks to be damaged like that. Not happy John Lewis, not happy!</div>
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So that's what's been going on with me of late. Hope you're all fine and dandy and hello to the new readers! I promise things are going to start getting a bit more interesting around here!</div>
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Peace out kids, be safe, be seen. x</div>frankihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02806962918030662754noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2322773838648754903.post-86485000980462248572012-03-25T11:00:00.006+01:002012-03-26T20:10:20.981+01:00POTM - January & February<div style="font-weight: normal; text-align: justify; ">It's video time! (My hair looks really weird in this, I think I'd blow dried it but not straightened it yet, which is why it's so fluffy...)</div><br /><div style="text-align: center; "><object width="640" height="360"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/hht6v1cj4wc?version=3&hl=en_US&rel=0"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/hht6v1cj4wc?version=3&hl=en_US&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="640" height="360" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></embed><br /><div style="font-weight: normal; text-align: justify; "><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify; "><b>Products featured;</b></div><div style="font-weight: normal; text-align: justify; ">Colourworks Palette and Nail varnish (no Colourworks stuff currently available on the Superdrug site, but this is a brand definitely worth checking out if you ever see any of the products in store.)</div><div style="font-weight: normal; text-align: justify; ">Soap & Glory <a href="http://www.boots.com/en/Soap-Glory-The-Righteous-Butter%C2%99-Body-Butter-300ml_27858/">The Righteous Butter</a></div><div style="font-weight: normal; text-align: justify; ">Topshop Nails in <a href="http://www.topshop.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?beginIndex=0&viewAllFlag=&catalogId=33057&storeId=12556&productId=2412173&langId=-1&sort_field=Relevance&categoryId=208569&parent_categoryId=208495&pageSize=200">Milkshake</a></div><div style="font-weight: normal; text-align: justify; ">Topshop Nails in <a href="http://www.topshop.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?beginIndex=0&viewAllFlag=&catalogId=33057&storeId=12556&productId=1928849&langId=-1&sort_field=Relevance&categoryId=208569&parent_categoryId=208495&pageSize=200">Mannequin</a></div><div style="font-weight: normal; text-align: justify; ">Topshop Lips in Confession (not currently on the site)</div><div style="font-weight: normal; text-align: justify; ">Collection 2000 <a href="http://www.boots.com/en/Collection-2000-Lasting-Perfection-Concealer_984434/">Lasting Perfection Concealer</a> in Light</div><div style="font-weight: normal; "><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Seche-Vite-0921790501/dp/B00150LT40">Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Coat</a></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div></div></div></object></div>frankihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02806962918030662754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2322773838648754903.post-1582810651366220462012-03-24T15:10:00.007+00:002012-03-24T16:46:13.998+00:00I just love buying stuff.<div style="font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; text-align: justify; "><span style="font-size: 100%; ">Oh... hello!</span></div><div style="font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; text-align: justify; ">Yes, I know it's been a while, over a month to be exact, which is never an acceptable amount of time to be away from blogging for, but I'm back now so you can stop panicking.</div><div style="font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; text-align: justify; "><br /></div><div style="font-size: 100%; "><div style="font-style: normal; text-align: justify; "><span style="font-size: 100%; ">I've been in my new job for about six weeks now; it's crazy how quickly the time goes - I feel like one minute I'm waking up, sleepy and bleary eyed on a Monday morning thinking "and another week begins..." and the next minute it's 5pm on a Friday afternoon and everyone's going "bye, have a nice weekend!" Madness. It's knackering though, which is one of the reasons why I've not posted anything in a while; by the time I get all the way back home from Chester, I can just about manage to string sentences together, never mind start writing a blog post. Fortunately, I'm starting to get used to it now, so hopefully blogging will start to be a bit more frequent again. I've already get a Youtube video filmed, I just need to upload it, which I'll try and do this weekend too.</span></div><div style="font-style: normal; text-align: justify; "><span style="font-size: 100%; "><br /></span></div><div style="font-style: normal; text-align: justify; "><span style="font-size: 100%; ">Anyway, last Saturday was the first time in about three weeks where I had absolutely nothing to do and nowhere to be, so I took a little trip into town to buy my Mum her Mother's Day present and while I was there I got a bit overexcited and bought myself a few treats...</span></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUNCeiM1nA8W8PNLcU0P3cYFX07ZuOLkmWNkEbLjp8yxTT3KBkfoiBOqhF64bTcAlcn9FzBFBkvoQGCem23X8711UpLqLaiVYv7wqf9sQVc-ph0zCPPL84VqfE0EDmLdc2xkZhVLDpjeiG/s1600/P1030714.JPG" style="font-style: normal; "><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUNCeiM1nA8W8PNLcU0P3cYFX07ZuOLkmWNkEbLjp8yxTT3KBkfoiBOqhF64bTcAlcn9FzBFBkvoQGCem23X8711UpLqLaiVYv7wqf9sQVc-ph0zCPPL84VqfE0EDmLdc2xkZhVLDpjeiG/s576/P1030714.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723485232136672498" /></a><div style="text-align: center; "><span style="font-size: 100%; "><i>Topshop Blush in Neon Rose, Topshop Lips in Brighton Rock, Benefit Tan About Town, Oilatum Natural Repair Face Cream*, Real Techniques by Samantha Chapman Core Collection</i></span></div><div style="font-style: normal; text-align: justify; "><span style="font-size: 100%; ">Proof that I'm still a bit amateur when it comes to this beauty blogging/photographing products malarkey; by the time I'd realised that I should take some photos for a haul post, I'd already taken everythig out of the boxes and tried them all out. Proper beauty bloggers wouldn't dream of doing something so gauche - your products have to be pristine and untouched when you photograph them! Sadly, I don't have that kind of self-restraint - I didn't even wait until I got home from town, I'd already started playing with them on the bus! </span></div><div style="font-style: normal; text-align: justify; "><span style="font-size: 100%; "><br /></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHToFuVj5L2JbE6ZeVNAjJSN6F9DRTcas9J4dZ8v-wuRz_-SMMxLvBu89iUxJP249D7-gLb0_ljGveYfRyAoFNni1STgUy-JQH-vv0bNhx55SjHeA_57-gAodTyhZBOFqlzQrFpJZPZkWF/s1600/P1030717.JPG" style="font-style: normal; "><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHToFuVj5L2JbE6ZeVNAjJSN6F9DRTcas9J4dZ8v-wuRz_-SMMxLvBu89iUxJP249D7-gLb0_ljGveYfRyAoFNni1STgUy-JQH-vv0bNhx55SjHeA_57-gAodTyhZBOFqlzQrFpJZPZkWF/s576/P1030717.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723490252923438674" /></a><div style="font-style: normal; text-align: justify; "><span style="font-size: 100%; ">I think by now it's safe to say that I have something of an obsession for Topshop makeup. I may even like it more than the clothes, which are obviously lovely but just so frikkin' overpriced I could cry. The makeup, on the other hand, is beautious and very reasonably priced. I was so pleased to see that the Liverpool Topshop was stocking the cream blushes again; for a while I thought they'd been discontinued, and I'd never be able to get my hands on my beloved Flush ever again. They're back now though and since I've still got a tiny bit of Flush left (saved for special occasions only), I thought I'd give Neon Rose a try. I've been wearing it all week and I do like it, but still think I prefer Flush, which has a little less red in it. I also bought a lipstick in Brighton Rock, which is a lovely bright, slightly blue-toned pink. I'm slowly developing a bit of an obsession for the Topshop lipsticks - the colour range is always really on-trend, they're super pigmented, and not at all drying on the lips. I. Love. Them.</span></div><div style="font-style: normal; text-align: justify; "><span style="font-size: 100%; "><br /></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMUXfxTGgSCrEsX6U8DRhWC6dAzEL6QZIXHjw7eGr3UKzCIM0rautO1Rt3SvbBWDe-ogsmIe1USaKwyKDelqnwotgqMG51O8utwAtTE-iw5GPCl4U0MHscJzgQOGRlcB4Wxbc0iLfZ0Mkp/s1600/P1030718.JPG" style="font-style: normal; "><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMUXfxTGgSCrEsX6U8DRhWC6dAzEL6QZIXHjw7eGr3UKzCIM0rautO1Rt3SvbBWDe-ogsmIe1USaKwyKDelqnwotgqMG51O8utwAtTE-iw5GPCl4U0MHscJzgQOGRlcB4Wxbc0iLfZ0Mkp/s576/P1030718.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723487076955505570" /></a><div style="font-style: normal; text-align: justify; "><span style="font-size: 100%; ">This was something of an impulse buy as it was cheekily placed right next to the queue for the tills in Boots. I never, ever buy Benefit makeup because, although I think the products are really gorgeous, I can never justify the price tag. This set, however, was just £9. NINE POUNDS! Obviously they're all minis, but still, three really good products for £9 is pretty bargainous I'd say. I knew I'd use the Hoola bronzer and the Bad Gal Lash mascara (which is one of the best mascaras I've used in ages, it has to be said) but I wasn't too bothered about Some Kind-a Gorgeous, which is a foundation, because I only use foundation quite rarely anyway and I didn't think the colour would match my skin tone. I've actually been really impressed by it though and have worn it every day this week. It gives my skin a nice dewy look and blends really well, especially when applied with...</span></div><div style="font-style: normal; text-align: justify; "><span style="font-size: 100%; "><br /></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhApUjnYUghr2AMcl0_qne5YQ65G19n0P329AxUiypleY-tNzCyni4R_8kIOEuJedPw9wwBNEJK4pMe3lOcbxQjHsthQlCdKWmzkvRh7nVafga2avYXrGZshoshgAGVXXcwxsRdTOYcpsaY/s1600/P1030719.JPG" style="font-style: normal; "><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhApUjnYUghr2AMcl0_qne5YQ65G19n0P329AxUiypleY-tNzCyni4R_8kIOEuJedPw9wwBNEJK4pMe3lOcbxQjHsthQlCdKWmzkvRh7nVafga2avYXrGZshoshgAGVXXcwxsRdTOYcpsaY/s576/P1030719.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723486510421806946" /></a></div><div style="font-size: 100%; text-align: justify; "><span style="font-size: 100%; ">My new Real Techniques brushes!!! (Again, you can see by the slightly stained bristles that I'd already had a play with them before taking the photo) As soon as I found out that these were being stocked in Boots I was ridiculously excited. I've been wanting the Core Collection ever since it was first released, but with the brushes only being available online, I just never got around to buying them. Now though, I've got no excuse as the entire range is available in Boots and I've got a feeling it won't be long before I've added the eye brushes to my collection. I only really wanted the Buffing Brush (the biggest one), but it's not available to buy on its own, so I <i>obviously</i> <i>had to</i> get the whole set instead. The other brushes are lovely too and really do make such a difference to the way I apply my makeup. I'm sure these will be making an appearance in my next Products of the Month video so I'll talk about them more in depth then. </span></div><div style="font-size: 100%; text-align: justify; "><span style="font-size: 100%; "><br /></span></div><div style="font-size: 100%; text-align: justify; "><span style="font-size: 100%; ">So that's my little haul done and dusted. I doubt I'll be doing another one for a while because, along with a few other bits and pieces I picked up that day, I ended up spending a stupid amount of money. Joe and I will be moving into a new house in the next few months and, obviously, have quite a lot to buy, so no more frivolous spending on makeup for me, no no no!</span></div><div style="font-size: 100%; text-align: justify; "><span style="font-size: 100%; "><br /></span></div><div style="font-size: 100%; text-align: justify; "><span style="font-size: 100%; "><i>Have you used any of the products above? What did you think? Go on, tell me!</i></span></div><div style="font-size: 100%; text-align: justify; "><span style="font-size: 100%; "><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify; "><i><span >*I didn't bother mentioning the Oilatum as I've talked about it tonnes of times before and it's not as interested as pretty makeup and brushes!</span></i></div>frankihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02806962918030662754noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2322773838648754903.post-28017982114449707912012-02-14T18:30:00.000+00:002012-02-14T18:30:03.077+00:00Seasons of love<div style="text-align: justify;">If you've read this blog for a while, you'll probably know that I'm not a particularly sentimental person. Sure, I have my moments (watching people win life-changing amounts of money on TV game shows always gets me a bit teary for some reason), but generally I'm not one for huge displays of emotion. Which is why the following post may be a bit unexpected; don't panic, I've not turned into one of those 'feelings' people - the weird, cynical me will be right back, I promise. I just thought that, well, if you can't say things like this on Valentine's Day, when can you say them?</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">A lot of people condemn Valentine's Day for being a pointless, fake, commercial holiday. Yes, it clearly is a bit of a money spinner for florists, greetings card manufacturers, Thornton's and lingerie shops, and yes you shouldn't need to have one day of the year set aside to tell someone you love them, because you should probably tell them every day (or at least once a week). Not only that, but having a day which solely celebrates love and relationships is a bit rubbish for all the people out there who are single. Believe me, trying to fight your way through 700 heart shaped bastard balloons in Clinton's when you're single and just want to get to the birthday section is really bloody irritating. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">However, in these fast-paced times of iPads, BBM and skinny-mocha-choca-chai-green-tea lattes, I honestly don't think there's anything wrong with having a day to celebrate good old-fashioned romance. I'm not saying you have to go completely mental, fill your boyfriend/girlfriend's room with rose petals and giant teddies and then carve "I LUV U 4EVA" into your own forehead or anything, but taking the time to do something heartfelt is actually, you know, quite nice. Also, I find that being single on Valentine's Day is only actually depressing if you make it depressing; spending it with friends, eating a load of crap and laughing at how terrible the film "Valentine's Day" was, is an excellent way to pass the time.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Maybe I'm pro-February 14th because this year, for the very first time in my whole 24 years of living, I've actually got a boyfriend on Valentine's Day and I'm very, very happy. It was around this time last year that Joe asked me out for the first time and a year down the line, things are lovely :)</div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfGSP2YUYJI9UgT8IydAbQ7GVkBiRluDO7dTWxmiMPBgXFjWxWwY-Kq77LSZOgYUcbDWlXspA9kINXCZyhEyZeGpB9BRRQILtUF4ah6iU952Jhgh-mTMY6N9V8_wm_MZu_VRoAcFSyxyy6/s1600/meandjoe.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfGSP2YUYJI9UgT8IydAbQ7GVkBiRluDO7dTWxmiMPBgXFjWxWwY-Kq77LSZOgYUcbDWlXspA9kINXCZyhEyZeGpB9BRRQILtUF4ah6iU952Jhgh-mTMY6N9V8_wm_MZu_VRoAcFSyxyy6/s576/meandjoe.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5708737631833447458" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Love's young dream</i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Anyway, this post isn't meant to be all gloaty and gushy and gross (go alliteration!); I just wanted to defend Valentine's Day a bit, because when you forget all the teddy bears and heart shaped boxes of chocolates, at the heart of it (ha!) there's a perfectly acceptable message - let's celebrate love. And why bloody not?</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Whatever you do today to celebrate (or not), I hope you have a lovely day!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Also, Happy Silver Wedding Anniversary Mum and Dad (aaaw!)</i></div>frankihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02806962918030662754noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2322773838648754903.post-23303994390441423112012-02-06T17:17:00.003+00:002012-02-06T17:32:28.405+00:00Dzien dobry<div style="text-align: justify;">Yo homiez. Just returned from Krakow don'tcha know? It was cold there, so very cold. I don't think I've ever worn so many clothes in my life. Anyway, blogging may be a bit scarce for the next week or so as I'm starting a new job tomorrow and a good portion of my days will be taken up with travelling to and from Chester (note: Liverpool to Chester, when you don't drive, is a HELL OF A TREK). Anyway, while I'm off being busy and important, why don't you check out these blogging marvels; I've been really enjoying them lately.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.thelondoner.me/">The Londoner</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://leightravers.blogspot.com/">Fox Tales</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://amybell-thelittlemagpie.blogspot.com/">The Little Magpie</a> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Also, just so this post isn't all just a load of text, here's a picture of Ryan Gosling. You're welcome.</div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8mNKazXmE13miqLkEPc9kGi3MMxrGBp6YX2jO3OoJ9bnwXzxzuE6BnBCH388iT5Pld7jxLDLn8ypC4M_k7r2qTtWuk8Ts5eRPjlRm8mjlGujdazoJLMX0mskOQdJTP1nhKwab3qJAGmBE/s1600/ryan-gosling-in-crazy-stupid-love.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8mNKazXmE13miqLkEPc9kGi3MMxrGBp6YX2jO3OoJ9bnwXzxzuE6BnBCH388iT5Pld7jxLDLn8ypC4M_k7r2qTtWuk8Ts5eRPjlRm8mjlGujdazoJLMX0mskOQdJTP1nhKwab3qJAGmBE/s576/ryan-gosling-in-crazy-stupid-love.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706076167508651138" /></a>frankihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02806962918030662754noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2322773838648754903.post-5309110180611584302012-01-26T19:30:00.001+00:002012-01-26T20:07:16.349+00:00I couldn't stay away<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl9Ikps8JpbEUVkxKqUGFOfvXmocGkoasSTAfId3GmzM8-8OnPA-k-kWAqvjCV66e8-Ict8FViTAXYcdQca0bOB9imOA0VdPa99HepkSZEUt4QOTkTkEim8ZqQWVTV3HYKGSjGdyvrTrEN/s1600/P1030531.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl9Ikps8JpbEUVkxKqUGFOfvXmocGkoasSTAfId3GmzM8-8OnPA-k-kWAqvjCV66e8-Ict8FViTAXYcdQca0bOB9imOA0VdPa99HepkSZEUt4QOTkTkEim8ZqQWVTV3HYKGSjGdyvrTrEN/s576/P1030531.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5701970261700457602" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Super glittery nails - this is Nails Inc The City. It's actually a crackle effect polish, but I layered it up because I've gone off crackle polishes a bit. There is so much glitter in this though, it's so sparkly!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhVfslT0UGX2nncNB8jFVrQ6UfPGVmnUix37ktZgW9P3mrJ40WEYMl4yacDrNm8BY3o32-Rb-Z9CC9LDJrJYfItlux_bZab-xbtQlQipXN-YwAFbU-nRuOlBihB5iomy1KRob67akLCIOW/s1600/P1030538.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhVfslT0UGX2nncNB8jFVrQ6UfPGVmnUix37ktZgW9P3mrJ40WEYMl4yacDrNm8BY3o32-Rb-Z9CC9LDJrJYfItlux_bZab-xbtQlQipXN-YwAFbU-nRuOlBihB5iomy1KRob67akLCIOW/s576/P1030538.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5701970269704701922" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Despite the fact it's now the end of January, I still occasionally burn my Christmas Cookie Yankee Candle. I just couldn't wait a whole year to use it again, it smells yummy!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWb-1je_vfy5KzpmhFZYteIG-bunN-DDyVrtHg6ubANE8tOSkQgTkhFvjpldq3HxlfAB6E-1WNlT4dFF2eIIpeLtkQIUAqSvZsVG39su9-ht6dI1VUyru8Wh8yNs0_aVhSNsvCR0dWe4pd/s1600/P1030540.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWb-1je_vfy5KzpmhFZYteIG-bunN-DDyVrtHg6ubANE8tOSkQgTkhFvjpldq3HxlfAB6E-1WNlT4dFF2eIIpeLtkQIUAqSvZsVG39su9-ht6dI1VUyru8Wh8yNs0_aVhSNsvCR0dWe4pd/s576/P1030540.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5701970276316791538" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Decided to jump on the BB Cream bandwagon so bought this with a £5 No7 voucher. So far so good - it does make my skin look a lot better, but it's very, very subtle - you can't tell that you're wearing anything on your face.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg138spwyDsoqJ51vLODg8gqaVy5AAM3F8ZZlpbpeuoBGwhGiQx0A9mgR2XWzIl3dkF1_AJO9ZVtmw7CcrrcPLL0aSuQ4ooEM4t2rx1QcP5KBzeJVcOnhxJ43YIjOgHBTigVsbRp46U7z8T/s1600/P1030543.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg138spwyDsoqJ51vLODg8gqaVy5AAM3F8ZZlpbpeuoBGwhGiQx0A9mgR2XWzIl3dkF1_AJO9ZVtmw7CcrrcPLL0aSuQ4ooEM4t2rx1QcP5KBzeJVcOnhxJ43YIjOgHBTigVsbRp46U7z8T/s576/P1030543.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5701970297155115250" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Bought myself a Denman Dressing Out (backcombing) brush after months of wondering why, when Liverpool is the backcombing capital of the world, the big Boots here doesn't sell them. They have every other kind of Denman brush ever made, but not this one, so I got it from Amzon for about £3.50</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC0f-Lbcv4kPW69-_IAW5SdobmuquS4FAdRvV7V6i5jEQeripM7ce-EbOvIBhDHNvWAWAel4pTdLnnqURRE5ENfeJ-huNx8PHZ220NVLPAT6Pb7S0-P8VahIXXgY9Rlt-CALAU3kBm3QiX/s1600/P1030593.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC0f-Lbcv4kPW69-_IAW5SdobmuquS4FAdRvV7V6i5jEQeripM7ce-EbOvIBhDHNvWAWAel4pTdLnnqURRE5ENfeJ-huNx8PHZ220NVLPAT6Pb7S0-P8VahIXXgY9Rlt-CALAU3kBm3QiX/s576/P1030593.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5701970910880477570" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">New FAVOURITE top from Primark. Minnie Mouse, Peter Pan Collar, Bows. Perfection.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGJjLgqBCIalIf0DkCHb9tSj3fi5rYOuLlRJs23O1NBNFc-YDAi-sOJNY_fGAx1iAUtA96173iFcqXCsWcwp2jSV6PWlK8WQTmbIj8QpWyiYGB11lxNWKa1BjRjwFBSk2Y_Ofp6pSUbXtY/s1600/P1030552.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGJjLgqBCIalIf0DkCHb9tSj3fi5rYOuLlRJs23O1NBNFc-YDAi-sOJNY_fGAx1iAUtA96173iFcqXCsWcwp2jSV6PWlK8WQTmbIj8QpWyiYGB11lxNWKa1BjRjwFBSk2Y_Ofp6pSUbXtY/s576/P1030552.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5701970888593515890" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Another Primark purchase. I could live in these, I really could. Fleece lined, super snuggly tights are just so much more enjoyable than regular tights.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP3JbUer217Cj5EfxRdIgP9-QN2Xu6csu9bX26k-NEzHKG2DBH2su5exG3HqqhAo5z-mZUHb2SeKcPqnnZUNn1-AQXTDVwhCSnMtQEbjVkpSslE7TJCL6swo_ADgE2rK-vOFv6aVHq8Z_R/s1600/P1030541m.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP3JbUer217Cj5EfxRdIgP9-QN2Xu6csu9bX26k-NEzHKG2DBH2su5exG3HqqhAo5z-mZUHb2SeKcPqnnZUNn1-AQXTDVwhCSnMtQEbjVkpSslE7TJCL6swo_ADgE2rK-vOFv6aVHq8Z_R/s576/P1030541m.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5701970287583233730" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Felt like a bit of a hair change so I bought a much darker-than-usual hair dye. I figured I'd get a semi-permanent one first, just in case I didn't like it. Fortunately, the Botanics range do both semi and permanent dyes so I can go back and get a permanent one if the mood takes me.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi59__QMmrqMl52tPLzVhNBmu3gqSgf5C3o80pNguVXI_Q8JJ3RGsigFZ40I8QzYEOKq5aGPgxtlXNKqx3PUKLURcR5JW3p3_AKhpY5MON3UnMwK2dfHSk4BWb3hpYFQeL6PJ6VrIQTUefC/s1600/P1030565.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi59__QMmrqMl52tPLzVhNBmu3gqSgf5C3o80pNguVXI_Q8JJ3RGsigFZ40I8QzYEOKq5aGPgxtlXNKqx3PUKLURcR5JW3p3_AKhpY5MON3UnMwK2dfHSk4BWb3hpYFQeL6PJ6VrIQTUefC/s576/P1030565.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5701970893856909874" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">New hair! Really pleased with how this has turned out. Obviously, my hair has always been brown, so you might not be able to see much of a difference, but it's a lot darker than it was and I think it suits me more than the previous kind of browney-red colour that I had.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Hope you're all having a lovely week! Yay it's Friday tomorrow! What are your plans?</i></div>frankihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02806962918030662754noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2322773838648754903.post-62440737163113487052012-01-22T19:00:00.000+00:002012-01-22T19:00:02.438+00:00Dressed up to the Nines<div style="text-align: justify;">I've said it before and I'll say it again - I. BLOODY. LOVE. DRESSES. Which is why, when awards season comes around each year, I get quite excited. As I've STILL NOT managed to accomplish my goal of being an actual Disney princess; wearing gowns, attending balls, befriending adorable talking animals and leaving shoes all over the bloody place, the closest I'm likely to ever get to those gorgeous princess dresses is by obsessively browsing through the red carpet images on IMDb and madly pawing at the screen crying "WHY CAN'T IT BE ME?!" Anyway, now that I've branded that disturbing image into your minds for the rest of the day, let's get on with it, shall we? </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">So it was the Golden Globes last week and aside from the fact that the dresses were excellent as usual, the celebrities have disappointed me. Not because of their lack of effort, oh no, if anything they've made too much effort. Because this year, practically everyone was wearing custom-made gowns! They're not satisfied with just picking a dress from a recent Couture collection, oh no, they've got to have them specially made for them. As if Vera Wang doesn't have enough to do. </div><div style="text-align: justify;">"Why is this such a big deal, Franki?" you may ask.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Well my little daisies, I'll tell you. Every year, when awards season swings around, I sit in my pyjamas, go through all the red carpet photos, pick out my favourite dresses, find out who designed them and then track down a photo of the dresses when they were originally shown on the catwalks. It's just something I like doing, ok? <a href="http://www.thelittlecurlygirl.blogspot.com/2011/01/now-as-weve-already-established-many.html">I think it's interesting</a>. </div><div style="text-align: justify;">If a dress has been custom-made, however, I can't do this, because it was never shown on the catwalk. Some people are so selfish. Of my seven favourite dresses, only one was actually first shown on the catwalk. Not happy. If the celebs decide to pull the same crap at the Oscars, I'll be writing a very strongly-worded letter to the Academy...</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHIYi-d10EEB3QQV4GlgVpSWHkfOyHADl2m-QNbR6zsAVRRX6rRd43EFCltVuYU7LD3RFW7Icl_t-GvAgxxd9ifh9j9mqhZP2kpncFT_dxvlSF0igg-LXYxpFIFr0sS89pcTFsvsBWPV_S/s1600/rooney.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHIYi-d10EEB3QQV4GlgVpSWHkfOyHADl2m-QNbR6zsAVRRX6rRd43EFCltVuYU7LD3RFW7Icl_t-GvAgxxd9ifh9j9mqhZP2kpncFT_dxvlSF0igg-LXYxpFIFr0sS89pcTFsvsBWPV_S/s576/rooney.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5699744082305499442" /></a><div style="text-align: justify; "><b style="font-weight: bold; ">Rooney Mara in Nina Ricci (Pre-Fall 2012).</b><b> </b>Still kind of channeling the stark palette of her Lisbeth Salander character, I love how this is both quite revealing but still understated. She's kept it edgy with very minimal hair and makeup and no jewels at all - this look is all about the dress. Glad she steered away from the elbow-length gloves as I think they look like overkill in the original photo.</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd5-_-B_sCCWzyKK6KQxul2jt5lsc9zJakvxpbcqC_BacDYDAXL1tSAeZB9BRlhjNctOo6zeLs54MSxI6hVN3HaqHmE3lhg4DPBgOEWZ2zhFmTH771JcaZm48aPc9l-JK8ktO7ZjNZu3jT/s1600/zooey.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd5-_-B_sCCWzyKK6KQxul2jt5lsc9zJakvxpbcqC_BacDYDAXL1tSAeZB9BRlhjNctOo6zeLs54MSxI6hVN3HaqHmE3lhg4DPBgOEWZ2zhFmTH771JcaZm48aPc9l-JK8ktO7ZjNZu3jT/s576/zooey.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5699744073270953730" /></a><div style="text-align: justify; "><b>Zooey Deschanel in custom-bloody-Prada.</b> I think this is a very unusual choice for the red carpet and for Zooey herself, but she looks gorgeous nonetheless. It's miles away from her usual quirky-girl style, though she has kept her signature hairstyle the same. Love the unexpected pop of acid green (acid green on the red carpet - who'da thunk?) and the high neckline. Lovely lovely lovely<b>.</b></div></div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBL1jb0ASjgeRHJm3OvFG_4mB22ndYN3xzHnyjgru8d1E4K_6idp0qRyyoz_NkqT84GdB0R6GaKr5LU8xaZzLWbjlH17ETyN3qEoOL2NPwXIaGKGfxgE6a_mGL6NaDMMYIxinEFBznSLeX/s1600/reese.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBL1jb0ASjgeRHJm3OvFG_4mB22ndYN3xzHnyjgru8d1E4K_6idp0qRyyoz_NkqT84GdB0R6GaKr5LU8xaZzLWbjlH17ETyN3qEoOL2NPwXIaGKGfxgE6a_mGL6NaDMMYIxinEFBznSLeX/s576/reese.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5699743564900508786" /></a><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Reese Witherspoon in Zac Posen</b>. I can't help but love Reese; she always looks so cute and smiley. I've read some reviews slating this look, saying that it looks like she's not made much effort with her hair and the fit of the dress looks weird, but personally I like that she's kept her hair quite laid back and I think the shape of the dress is cool, although it does look like the fishtail could do with having a bit more structure to it... it's gone kind of floppy. Either way, she's gone for a kind of modern all-American girl/blonde bombshell type thing and I think it's fabulous.</div></div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTc0_x2w9bgow1R1zq0fbwn6tqsmGtg7lVTbp-J05Sja6MsIfMc2wVExahZlgveVsIcf90Yxrr33yIxwxQQKcWKiDmp_4i47iP_kKbWrIOrTzId_JVf6ZpD2PUEaIuq-pXuz12CMq-va3L/s1600/michelle+williams.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTc0_x2w9bgow1R1zq0fbwn6tqsmGtg7lVTbp-J05Sja6MsIfMc2wVExahZlgveVsIcf90Yxrr33yIxwxQQKcWKiDmp_4i47iP_kKbWrIOrTzId_JVf6ZpD2PUEaIuq-pXuz12CMq-va3L/s576/michelle+williams.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5699743548595679922" /></a><div style="text-align: justify; "><b style="font-weight: bold; ">Michelle Williams in Jason Wu. </b>It's interesting that, having recently played the ultimate screen-siren, Marilyn Monroe, Michelle wasn't tempted to emulate her look on the red carpet. A lot of celebs go all in for that old-Hollywood glamour when it comes to awards season, but Michelle has jumped straight back into her signature style - pixie crop and unusual gown. While it would have been nice to see her really upping the glamour - we know she can pull it off as she looked stunning as Marilyn - I guess she's found a style that she likes and is sticking to it. I think this Jason Wu gown could look absolutely horrendous on the wrong person, but Michelle makes it look chic and elegant.</div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; "><b><br /></b></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzqA9E04D3zf380W0XmAzqs_B6tLQyzT3zDdwFUHxXYSjXrVAZnDhUSe5eW84xXFGepc1dyGenrLI_MKy-6dZI52hRBQMyBVjST_K3MSnkMRmbHOHcmmA3pYEeeOAlKpJ66kFUBwfh1CLe/s1600/heidi.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzqA9E04D3zf380W0XmAzqs_B6tLQyzT3zDdwFUHxXYSjXrVAZnDhUSe5eW84xXFGepc1dyGenrLI_MKy-6dZI52hRBQMyBVjST_K3MSnkMRmbHOHcmmA3pYEeeOAlKpJ66kFUBwfh1CLe/s576/heidi.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5699743534499031458" /></a><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Heidi Klum in Calvin Klein</b>. I'll be completely honest here, I'm going to take all the credit for this one. If you've red my <a href="http://www.thelittlecurlygirl.blogspot.com/search/label/red%20carpet">previous red carpet posts</a>, you'll know that for the past couple of years, I've been trying to show Heidi that her recent efforts have been way off. Obviously, she's been paying attention to my words of wisdom because she's really looking gorgeous here. Understated hair and makeup, simple but elegant dress and beautiful jewels. Well done, Heidi, well done.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcB_t-tiDUUoBuAxGmLIc_KJ5p4KI3D-v0yB6F1Ch9Qf8FqLks63Owqco8CRVsvIS1b-TAGnoBYj2r_fddCUGZUy3gdvbaqj7aRNiCyEaQyTZYOU9XBAsO7iRDnIqr29Me3s-Er2prbrPp/s1600/emma.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcB_t-tiDUUoBuAxGmLIc_KJ5p4KI3D-v0yB6F1Ch9Qf8FqLks63Owqco8CRVsvIS1b-TAGnoBYj2r_fddCUGZUy3gdvbaqj7aRNiCyEaQyTZYOU9XBAsO7iRDnIqr29Me3s-Er2prbrPp/s576/emma.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5699743521835189666" /></a><div style="text-align: justify; "><b style="font-weight: bold; ">Emma Stone in Lanvin.</b> Some redheads don't like to wear certain colours for fear they'll clash with their hair, but Emma is clearly willing to take risks and they've really paid off here. This Grecian-style Lanvin number (with an EAGLE belt) is super sexy and fashion-forward. It's a very different look to the one she went for last year - she's really upped the sex appeal this time around - smouldering eyes, plunging neckline, thigh split - you go <strike>Glen Coco</strike> Emma!</div></div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8puT9uqYCNA4yw04PsMJ9tST1uIkJELzUoDlVicNENFa5agNWun4rMCVrFwbpmOgNklJSE4Sa_JofBfGDwT0aVWehPyiuW6DpWzkSRubXi7fLHToRzcrVTrVHBibce2w9qlEfDdZvhV_g/s1600/charlize.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8puT9uqYCNA4yw04PsMJ9tST1uIkJELzUoDlVicNENFa5agNWun4rMCVrFwbpmOgNklJSE4Sa_JofBfGDwT0aVWehPyiuW6DpWzkSRubXi7fLHToRzcrVTrVHBibce2w9qlEfDdZvhV_g/s576/charlize.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5699743503365684962" /></a><div style="text-align: justify; "><b style="font-weight: bold; ">Charlize Theron in Dior Couture. </b>Oh beautiful, beautiful Charlize. You're just so... beautiful! Despite the fact that this has an uber-low neckline and massive thigh split, it's still feminine, pretty and elegant. I don't think you can ever go wrong with Dior; it's just the perfect red carpet label. Love the hair, love the rosey complexion, LOVE THIS!</div></div><div style="text-align: justify; "><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify; "><i>So who do you think looked the best? And I have missed anyone out? Can't wait for the Oscars!</i></div>frankihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02806962918030662754noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2322773838648754903.post-48597717576647325862012-01-21T16:00:00.000+00:002012-01-21T16:00:01.727+00:00Je voudrais s'il vous plaît - clever beauty tools<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8DRibGJRhB_Yx4zi-PpfJ9sRtJZrLj0s2CXaLIveZ79I2O9JxgGNxRrm7Hm63qcvX2APMYYNyp6w6dSWhyvmkd1fQIAdWk5TkdxxKSj4Wqm8owqD30Sar_33V3_nLs3jgy9u-4g91-QEv/s1600/jvsp+beauty+tools.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8DRibGJRhB_Yx4zi-PpfJ9sRtJZrLj0s2CXaLIveZ79I2O9JxgGNxRrm7Hm63qcvX2APMYYNyp6w6dSWhyvmkd1fQIAdWk5TkdxxKSj4Wqm8owqD30Sar_33V3_nLs3jgy9u-4g91-QEv/s576/jvsp+beauty+tools.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5699725925627540338" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">There seems to be more and more clever and exciting beauty tools and gadgets being released all the time and, quite frankly, I want them all. Now. Please. Here's a few that are currently at the top of my wish list (note, some of these aren't actually newly released products; they've been out for a while, it's just that I've only recently released how much I <b>need</b> them in my life.)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.curlformers.com/styling-kit-long-wide.htm">Curlformers</a> I think some people would see these as completely pointless, but I reckon they look like fun. I suppose they'd fall into the same category as bendy rollers, but instead of wrapping your hair around them, as you would with a roller, each curlformer is actually a curly tube that you thread your hair through... it's hard to explain. Tanya Burr used them in a <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KSHS66xfQOo">video</a> so it's probably best you go and watch that if you can't picture what I mean. They'd probably be quite time consuming, especially if you have a lot of hair, but I like how you can get different sizes in a pack, to create different types of curl and they'd be a lot more hair-friendly than using heated rollers or tongs to get the same effect.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.spacenk.co.uk/product/shop+by+brand/clarisonic/lavender+clarisonic+mia.do">Clarisonic Mia</a> If you've never come across one of these before, it's basically an electric toothbrush...for your face. The Clarisonic is a clever little device that you can use morning and night as part of your cleansing routine. The idea of brushing your face may seem mad, but I've read some very positive reviews on this, with people saying that their skin has never looked better and the Clarisonic really does remove every single molecule of dirt. It has a timer in it so that you only actually use it on your face for sixty seconds, and every ten seconds it makes a beeping sound to tell you to move onto another area of your face. See? Clever! </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.tangleteezer.com/products_site.php?product=purple">Tangle Teezer</a> Not a new product at all, but something I've just never gotten around to buying. A Tangle Teezer is a special kind of plastic hair brush that is designed to gently de-tangle and smooth hair without damaging it. I'm sure I'm not the only one who has this problem, but pretty much every time I comb my hair after washing it, loads of it seems to fall out. It is natural to lose a certain number of hairs every day, but personally I'd like to keep that number to a minimum! Because the Tangle Teezer is so gentle, you're less likely to pull out a lot of your hair when you use it. This is another one that has fantastic reviews - it's right at the top of my list.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.love-makeup.co.uk/real-techniques-core-collection-p-2340.html">Real Techniques Core Collection</a> I mentioned this in my Christmas wish list post too, but I really want some lovely new makeup brushes and these ones are designed by the genius that is Samantha Chapman, so they're bound to be good. To be perfectly honest, I'm not even that fussed about the other brushes in the collection, I just really want to get my hands on the buffing brush (the big flat-headed one in the pic) and you can't buy it separately. When I had my <a href="http://www.thelittlecurlygirl.blogspot.com/2011/12/illamasqua-transformation.html">Illamasqua makeover</a>, the lovely makeup artist told me that he always buffs foundation onto the skin with that kind of brush, rather than use a flat foundation brush, as you end up with a much better finish. I have to say, my foundation looked flawless and lasted really well after he'd applied it that way, so I'm dying to give this a go.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.boots.com/en/Enrapture-Encode-Totem-styler-tong-As-seen-on-TV_1230530/">Enrapture Encode Totem Styler</a> Ok, so it may seem silly to include curlformers and a curling iron in the same wish list, but I just think that this is an absolutely genius gadget. Unlike other curling tongs, the barrel of Encode Totem Styler is split into three different sections, each with their own heat control, meaning you can create lots of different curls and waves. For example, you could set the top part of the barrel on a low heat, then the other parts on a higher heat to create a loose curl at the top of your hair with a tighter curl at the bottom. The possibilities are endless! </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.travalo.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=3752&products_id=7134">Travalo</a> Again, not really a new concept, as perfume atomizers have been around for years, but the Travalo is so dinky and cute! Last year I had a really handy solid perfume from Lush that I could just toss into my bag without worrying about it breaking but there's no way I'd take the same risk with my current perfume of choice - Illamasqua Freak. Joe bought me it for Christmas and I've been wearing it all the time, but the bottle is so gorgeous (and it was expensive!) so I never take it out with me for fear of it smashing. This means I can't top up my perfume throughout the day and I'm one of those people whose skin just seems to absorb scent - I can never smell it on me! A Travalo is the perfect solution - tiny enough to chuck in my bag, plus it re-fills really easily, so I could just keep decanting some Freak into it and keep my lovely big bottle safe at home. Excellent.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">So that's my beauty gadgets/tools wish list done and dusted - I think the Travalo and the Tangle Teezer are the two things I'm most likely to purchase first, as they're the most affordable; some of the other items on the list are quite pricey and will have to be saved up for a special occasion...</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Is there anything on the list you like the look of? Or have you got some other clever beauty devices in mind? Share the love and tell me! </i></div>frankihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02806962918030662754noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2322773838648754903.post-10282803034176586612012-01-14T19:15:00.003+00:002012-01-14T19:26:48.410+00:00Between those gaps and the holes<div style="text-align: justify;"><span>Wahey</span><span>! Two blog posts in two days? I'm back baby! </span>Having a very chilled out Saturday today, which is nice - tidying, catching up on TV and doing a bit of blogging. Might even film a video later, depending on how the light in my room is. Hope you're all having lovely weekends whatever you're up to!<br /></div><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />I'm currently loving;</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfL3YTAEq8TrIplkYnlmclga0yBCwUry9ZDipPYJLiMhhyphenhyphenZC_LWN9XvvaADlyuZgrFXTsZbFzhMYxGbfBk8d_bnt_9jsUdsaQiBjVdpt9iHfv9v-Oa9qcl-wt40ms-Ea9ben1TH_SwarGw/s1600/img-sx-high-lacob-downtown-abbey_14532143556.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfL3YTAEq8TrIplkYnlmclga0yBCwUry9ZDipPYJLiMhhyphenhyphenZC_LWN9XvvaADlyuZgrFXTsZbFzhMYxGbfBk8d_bnt_9jsUdsaQiBjVdpt9iHfv9v-Oa9qcl-wt40ms-Ea9ben1TH_SwarGw/s576/img-sx-high-lacob-downtown-abbey_14532143556.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5697504312276313554" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Downton Abbey</span>. I've been majorly slow to jump on the bandwagon with this one, as it's been out for ages but it was just one of those things I never got around to watching it. Anyway, my Mum got the first series on DVD for Christmas and I am ADDICTED. It's so good! Even Joe's enjoying it and he really didn't think he would as he's not a big fan of period dramas. Give it a go if you've not done so already!<br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">2012.</span> I've decided that this year is going to be the year I finally sort my life out and become a proper, real grown up. I've already got a new job lined up (starting in a few weeks!) and Joe and I have been house-hunting like crazy. It's all very exciting but quite daunting at the same time, part of me thinks I'm Peter Pan and will never really grow up but I think it's time to accept that. actually, I'm 24 now and need to take on some responsibilities instead of procrastinating all the time. Aimée, who writes <a href="http://wehaveobsessions.blogspot.com/">The Lost Girl</a>, posted four new year's resolutions and one of them really stood out to me - Be Pro-active. This is something I really need to work on, so I've decided to <strike>steal</strike> borrow it and make it my resolution too! Thanks Aimée!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho7dJaRxgeUXO7k-qc8vWFrEPewXajbgDYG4Bg4Ujxy7oyPp0rtoODqOXSS9SjoYPHM0UHzWwTAFyIxUnEK7xnXR7OZsn1CNoVaqUXTcRftcUlOZkmyhGUTeLx6kfx-RbIHe9ZZxn4QhrS/s1600/P1030507.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho7dJaRxgeUXO7k-qc8vWFrEPewXajbgDYG4Bg4Ujxy7oyPp0rtoODqOXSS9SjoYPHM0UHzWwTAFyIxUnEK7xnXR7OZsn1CNoVaqUXTcRftcUlOZkmyhGUTeLx6kfx-RbIHe9ZZxn4QhrS/s576/P1030507.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5697503029168991986" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">My babies.</span> I know I said in my last post that I'm not feeling particularly inspired when it comes to nail art at the moment, but I'm still loving painting my nails as much as ever. I realised recently that I've always loved collecting things - throughout my childhood I went through phases where I was obsessed with, in no particular order, Pogs, Polly Pockets, Puppy In My Pockets, My Beautiful Horses, Beanie Babies and, for a while, I had absolutely loads of those weird alien toys that came in <a href="http://www.google.co.uk/search?q=frufoo&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-GB:official&client=firefox-a">Frufoo</a> yoghurts - anyone remember them? Anyway, now the collecting obsession seems to have moved on to nail varnishes and I can only see this getting worse before it gets better...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPeLzXM1aN87s8nU4caTblsMdHDDaKhUCItfEQSQtKO-H6jDeIo_Hgj4gTAFpjYr4fRHY0CQmvMIFIm8QZhBojd709Lo-HBMZSaf8DZ87KFhivD784R9tmK-tjcbklq8zaz7zsYWA19a-s/s1600/dragon.png" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPeLzXM1aN87s8nU4caTblsMdHDDaKhUCItfEQSQtKO-H6jDeIo_Hgj4gTAFpjYr4fRHY0CQmvMIFIm8QZhBojd709Lo-HBMZSaf8DZ87KFhivD784R9tmK-tjcbklq8zaz7zsYWA19a-s/s576/dragon.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5697505613239395762" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo. </span>I was a bit hesitant to go and see this, because, having read the book, I was scared that it was going to be very hard to watch. To be fair, it was quite horrible in parts but I knew what to expect so was prepared when those bits came up. I did enjoy it though - Rooney Mara is absolutely brilliant. They did change a few details, but for the most part, the film stays very true to the book, which is always a major concern of mine when a book is made into a film. I know a lot of people think it's mad that the Swedish films were only released in the past couple of years, so it's silly to do a remake already, but I guess it means that all of those people who don't like to watch films with subtitles can still see it? Obviously, it's really just another example of Hollywood cashing in on a successful foreign film (Vanilla Sky, The Ring, Let The Right One In, etc etc) but I did actually think it was very well done, so I can't criticise the Hollywood bigshots too much!<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/V_A_O_OSgIw?rel=0" allowfullscreen="" width="640" frameborder="0" height="360"></iframe></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">This video.</span> Joe's band, <a href="http://www.mangetout.tv/">Man Get Out</a>, are launching their new single at the end of the month and they've just done a music video to go with it. I think it's rather bloody good, if I do say so myself! If you're based in or near Liverpool and fancy seeing some very lovely live music, the <a href="http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#%21/events/186105744815201/">launch</a> is taking place on January 28th at Mojo and is being presented by BBC Radio 2 DJ, Janice Long, who's a big fan of the boys. (shameless plug over...)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">I'm currently hating;</span><br /><br />Erm... nothing really! Happy days!<br /></div>frankihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02806962918030662754noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2322773838648754903.post-59861627187071633142012-01-13T19:30:00.001+00:002012-01-13T19:30:00.259+00:00Just some pictures of nail art really...<div style="text-align: justify;">Hello hello!</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Thought I'd share some images of nail art I did before and during Christmas but didn't get around to uploading until now. Over the past couple of weeks I've not really been in a very arty frame of mind - I still paint my nails religiously (at the moment I'm sporting Nails Inc Victoria, AGAIN) but I've been mainly wearing one colour and SHOCK HORROR absolutely no design, not even an accent nail or a bit of glitter. Nothing. Nada. Eeek! Despite the fact I bought the new Topshop nail art pen before Christmas, I've been all about the plain nails lately. Hopefully some of these designs will inspire me again.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Also, if you're a fan of the WAH Nails blog, you should check out the absolutely AMAZING <a href="http://boomnails.blogspot.com/">Boom Nails</a> - this girl has some ridiculous talent when it comes to nail art.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Enjoy! </div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKT-sKWFkrsyBSIsawUmg-FwtipJqCAe_90uXqaiVTgMSJyQsLqsO_AhnvJtIa2_81lcgI9CuzhQ_F3OQl5QLYfT9nSJ8Vf9hhLNFDQnmxO8EUaCK1tBQe0WLVWtftJetAEz8RMaJR03hr/s1600/P1030021.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKT-sKWFkrsyBSIsawUmg-FwtipJqCAe_90uXqaiVTgMSJyQsLqsO_AhnvJtIa2_81lcgI9CuzhQ_F3OQl5QLYfT9nSJ8Vf9hhLNFDQnmxO8EUaCK1tBQe0WLVWtftJetAEz8RMaJR03hr/s576/P1030021.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693103171002237778" /></a><div style="text-align: justify;">I've spotted (hahaha) a lot of people wearing this lately and thought it was super cute so had to give it a go. Unlike a regular polka dot pattern, dalmatian spots have to vary in size and are a lot more haphazard - you'd think that'd be easier to do but I found it quite tricky! Colours used are Models Own Snow White and Barry M Peach Melba, then I used the Models Own x WAH Nails nail art pen for the black details.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih1jIZCUbHcngirAaMZWf2NQMhwmUlr6sSnSVGWsHfwWcOuvwVkHLLsJ0CtYInoGe0GikovSQRdBHNaRsmh088doWKoWthFuU0AEqjqCvL9ztgMO7YTn3JUru-qLBTFxEGM-Gz5XJVexuw/s1600/P1030274.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih1jIZCUbHcngirAaMZWf2NQMhwmUlr6sSnSVGWsHfwWcOuvwVkHLLsJ0CtYInoGe0GikovSQRdBHNaRsmh088doWKoWthFuU0AEqjqCvL9ztgMO7YTn3JUru-qLBTFxEGM-Gz5XJVexuw/s576/P1030274.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693103163262234354" /></a><div style="text-align: justify;">Spots and stripes - pretty standard really. I used a striping brush for the stripes (duh) and the end of a hair grip for the dots. Colours used are Models Own Bloo Boo and Snow White.</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOXMvxgJ_U_BYrRo1esOSJDJU6MDJJ0AHmb-Hd7ONjRJy_n8v7MHjv8vrOpBGm_-MW6jn6rTJSRP5T1GMm3ox3mhyOSbJatH7PaCIOfwzoBy5KzHzMKWBVtiH64j1tYL4YSMdosT93oW_R/s1600/P1030346.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOXMvxgJ_U_BYrRo1esOSJDJU6MDJJ0AHmb-Hd7ONjRJy_n8v7MHjv8vrOpBGm_-MW6jn6rTJSRP5T1GMm3ox3mhyOSbJatH7PaCIOfwzoBy5KzHzMKWBVtiH64j1tYL4YSMdosT93oW_R/s576/P1030346.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693103149100526674" /></a><div style="text-align: justify;">I fancied going a bit OTT for our Christmas night out so used my absolute favourite Models Own Pink Punch, covered it with Models Own Juicy Jules for a bit of sparkle then decided to add some leopard spots as well using Models Own Snow White and the nail art pen for leopard spots. My Models Own pen is currently not working, (I think the nib is blocked) so I can't do any leopard designs for the time being... sniff...</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLcPPHU2OSkd_2bMRzTZd_jlSct1c5WRe7DTyionKJDVcRqfcF9Ni2SEQcVODbgmu7VjPjIeQFFvofTKWBTLqOPK7tMs2c8SJGXxVhuCvyB4vzxUQl5RKXSNb0KyWwfxlGI0cj-_5zXtVb/s1600/P1030439.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLcPPHU2OSkd_2bMRzTZd_jlSct1c5WRe7DTyionKJDVcRqfcF9Ni2SEQcVODbgmu7VjPjIeQFFvofTKWBTLqOPK7tMs2c8SJGXxVhuCvyB4vzxUQl5RKXSNb0KyWwfxlGI0cj-_5zXtVb/s576/P1030439.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693103141260824466" /></a><div style="text-align: justify;">Basically copied <a href="http://s3.amazonaws.com/data.tumblr.com/tumblr_luz24pmZpS1qb13g8o1_1280.jpg?AWSAccessKeyId=AKIAJ6IHWSU3BX3X7X3Q&Expires=1326553156&Signature=LRCyzKLHkNUsRwuWahwVN6ABuBs%3D">this design</a> from WAH nails but used two shades of blue instead (H&M's Blue My Mind and U Must Have This). This looks a lot more complicated than it actually is - I started off painting my nails with GOSH Holographic for the silver stripe (I figured this wouldn't layer very well over the other polishes so thought It'd made sense to make it the base) then used a striping brush to create the zig zag shapes - easy!</div></div>frankihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02806962918030662754noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2322773838648754903.post-38925958572696471002012-01-08T16:00:00.003+00:002012-01-08T16:15:57.224+00:00Products of the Month - November & December<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/n7VpkkGRWmQ?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Wahey! Happy New Year! 2012 is upon us and all we can really hope is that that rubbish John Cusack film was nothing more than nonsense...</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Anyway, thought I'd get my POTM video up first and foremost and then do a catch-up post in the next few days; I've got so much to tell you all!!! </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Products featured;</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.modelsownit.com/nails/nail-polish/red-nail-polishes.html">Models Own Red, Red Wine</a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.benefitcosmetics.co.uk/gp/product/B000FBK5HW/sr=1-11/qid=1326039206/ref=sr_1_11/279-5018377-8061038?ie=UTF8&n=48843031&bcBrand=core">BeneTint</a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.boots.com/en/Boots-Ingredients-Cocoa-Butter-Mallow-Body-Lotion-300ml_863644/">Boots Ingredients Cocoa Butter and Mallow Body Lotion</a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.sleekmakeup.com/en/products/blush-aruba-468.aspx">Sleek Blush in Rose Gold</a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.clinique.co.uk/product/1597/5363/Makeup/Eye-Liners/Brush-On-Cream-Liner/index.tmpl">Clinique Brush-On Cream Liner in True Black</a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.sleekmakeup.com/en/products/eye-dust-livid-lilac-9.aspx">Sleek Eye Dust in In The Nude</a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>frankihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02806962918030662754noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2322773838648754903.post-24276089393447876862011-12-06T16:05:00.000+00:002011-12-06T16:05:00.090+00:00Illamasqua Transformation<div style="text-align: justify;">Can't believe how late this post is! If you watched my <a href="http://thelittlecurlygirl.blogspot.com/2011/11/potm-october.html">Products of the Month video for October</a>, you will have seen me talking about my Illamasqua 'transformation' that I had done at the new Liverpool store. I thought I'd share some photos as you can't really see the makeup very well in the video. It probably would have made sense for me to post this straight after I posted the video, but I never do things sensibly... ah well, better late than never, right?</div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">In the same way you do at MAC, you can book in for a makeover at Illamasqua that costs £30 but is redeemable on products (ie you pay £30, they do your makeup and then you get £30 worth of products), however, in the week or so after the new Liverpool store had opened, they were doing makeovers, or 'transformations' for free. Since I never, ever get my makeup done professionally, I decided to book in for a half hour session one Saturday afternoon. I had my makeup done by the very lovely Patrick (who also did my eyelashes at the <a href="http://thelittlecurlygirl.blogspot.com/2011/11/war-paint-against-mediocrity.html">launch event</a>) who had a quick chat with me first about what I wanted. I told him I was going out that evening, so the makeup could be quite dramatic, but I hadn't actually decided what I was wearing so it needed to be in colours that would go with most things. We decided brown would be the best option and Patrick got to work...</div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPHRkCdmjuhuXGqVSvexYGrcl4HQ9QYSEtzgtT-ozyoBOQ6ilZQasYNGStk-kNfSSpwvmzM9S3K4BqsZTdvcReGx4V7c6ghx2CFS_bwDxVtMKXfkX7joMz2B2KV6WXwqByTuR_eVT3e9zf/s1600/fullface.png" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPHRkCdmjuhuXGqVSvexYGrcl4HQ9QYSEtzgtT-ozyoBOQ6ilZQasYNGStk-kNfSSpwvmzM9S3K4BqsZTdvcReGx4V7c6ghx2CFS_bwDxVtMKXfkX7joMz2B2KV6WXwqByTuR_eVT3e9zf/s576/fullface.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5681145555400424466" /></a><div style="text-align: justify;">To be honest, I wear browns and golds quite a lot anyway, so was a little bit worried that Patrick might end up doing something similar to what I'd do myself, which would have been a bit pointless; I wanted a completely new look. Fortunately, I got just that. I never ever wing out my eyeshadow as much as this, and I never wear that much shadow under the eye either. I also tend to stick to very light/neutral colours on my eyelid and usually only use darker colours on the outer corners, however Patrick went quite dark all over, then used some lovely shimmery pigments over the top of the shadow, which I loved.</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivzre2XVMYdwqIPH2mOzjfVwilxXelU7T6i1AHkAMiGNmo3dM2R0vMYGDZi8cPJ6xWng_RM9U3MfO6pdz0i0Djl2ri3NUFr160mBawUOjhnxz1b49GkJmFtFc0AGfUERNWjGiWkAWNbuyz/s1600/eyesclosed.png" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivzre2XVMYdwqIPH2mOzjfVwilxXelU7T6i1AHkAMiGNmo3dM2R0vMYGDZi8cPJ6xWng_RM9U3MfO6pdz0i0Djl2ri3NUFr160mBawUOjhnxz1b49GkJmFtFc0AGfUERNWjGiWkAWNbuyz/s576/eyesclosed.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5681145567958983314" /></a><div style="text-align: justify;">He also used the new Illamasqua Skin Base Foundation, which is amazing and left my skin looking flawless. I don't normally feel the need to wear foundation - I currently don't own a single bottle of the stuff - however, now that the weather's so horrible, I feel like my skin needs a bit of extra help and I'm very tempted to buy some Skin Base when I've got some spare pennies.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">As my appointment had been quite early in the afternoon, I was a bit worried that it wouldn't last right through to the evening, but I was pleasantly surprised. Patrick had used a primer on both my eyes and skin which helped everything to last for ages. The lipstick and lipgloss that Patrick put on me lasted a couple of hours then I had to apply some of my own before I went out in the evening, but I think that's to be expected really; lip products never last very long on me anyway.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Even though I was under no obligation to purchase anything as it was a free makeover, I couldn't help but leave with a little something.</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw6WTtMQkfMgk3AXYR3rImyZMXmMsOLbCrJru0jd6yjvb_QZx6MsyM-ZCGYz_2KTlKnGZepGodclMUyXdJJyP3yVDbVsPprRZoC_CJr7toS_b732BaLfCwA_lCk2ZTn18GS_UGqGW5od70/s1600/P1030400.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw6WTtMQkfMgk3AXYR3rImyZMXmMsOLbCrJru0jd6yjvb_QZx6MsyM-ZCGYz_2KTlKnGZepGodclMUyXdJJyP3yVDbVsPprRZoC_CJr7toS_b732BaLfCwA_lCk2ZTn18GS_UGqGW5od70/s576/P1030400.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683034638334937250" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Q2OzCjevQFQhsp9eOGHVMoiVN7dnAnn8yKW3xd9YoWcy8IJrfw_z8aSb3VhCr4PqwgHyPobZtD-OT3N1AqHKqExnNjoxmDoH8fdP7JkgromMKP1El94Mfm-_8h_rH5gTI4JF7GsXJKQq/s1600/P1030406.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Q2OzCjevQFQhsp9eOGHVMoiVN7dnAnn8yKW3xd9YoWcy8IJrfw_z8aSb3VhCr4PqwgHyPobZtD-OT3N1AqHKqExnNjoxmDoH8fdP7JkgromMKP1El94Mfm-_8h_rH5gTI4JF7GsXJKQq/s576/P1030406.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683034630326843666" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Illamasqua Pure Pigment in Ore</i></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">This is one of the products that Lucy and I went bananas over at the launch event - it's a very gorgeous browny/goldy/khaki-ish colour (don't I describe things brilliantly?!) that would be very flattering on any eye colour and is exactly the sort of shade I love. Also, I don't think I can emphasise how sparkly this product is; I own shimmery and glittery shadows and pigments but honestly, this is just something else altogether! As soon as the light hits it, it just glistens! So beautiful, I LOVE IT! </div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif5ue-UaNtL5_zd9czCsJMFUHVlB36DYdFID56KQcebmWFPr6qwTq02je97D1XGMPM2xszIfyQaW0GzwWC07xwnApXIjcuvpOxBZG-ilWrraM9PXll6x0LE3A9lHWuhKTqu-t9K8ZO7WYe/s1600/P1030414.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif5ue-UaNtL5_zd9czCsJMFUHVlB36DYdFID56KQcebmWFPr6qwTq02je97D1XGMPM2xszIfyQaW0GzwWC07xwnApXIjcuvpOxBZG-ilWrraM9PXll6x0LE3A9lHWuhKTqu-t9K8ZO7WYe/s576/P1030414.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683034619653084610" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>The top one was blended, the bottom was patted on with an eyeshadow brush</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I've probably said it before, but I HATE doing swatch pictures, so apologies that this isn't great, but I did take loads and this was the best of a bad bunch. I honestly don't know how some beauty bloggers have the patience to swatch every item they review - it takes such a long time to actually get a good photo! Anyway, the sparkliness isn't actually showing up enough in this picture - imagine that level of sparkle multiplied by about a thousand. It's amazing. The Pure Pigments cost £15.50 each, which may seem a bit much (especially when my beloved Sleek palettes cost about £6 and you get twelve colours in them), but it is such a lovely product so I think you can justify that kind of price for an occasional treat. Plus you do get a lot of product and a little bit goes a long way, so I've got a feeling this will be in my makeup bag for ages.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">All in all, I'm so glad I went and had a transformation - it was so fun having someone else do my makeup and give me a look I'd never do myself and I received some lovely compliments that evening! I think there's a good chance that any money I get at Christmas may just go on another trip to Illamasqua!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Have you ever had a makeover? Would you do it again? Are you keen to experiment with makeup or do you tend to stick to the same looks?</i></div>frankihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02806962918030662754noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2322773838648754903.post-180153184383739872011-12-01T18:00:00.000+00:002011-12-01T18:00:04.222+00:00Je voudrais s'il vous plaît - Christmas<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNOZkvl9c5FB9VlJoq1IG_vhrh3MjO1OQnNwt7kzEfMwjvfx6yBGr4hjNiGK69fulQ6TNePVgjXxewv7NPuk5wfNWO22PGkmf_PBY5wCU2z-kJ5eR94wrUrh-lmhzpyuZyrH7WS-eEzHbo/s1600/2.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNOZkvl9c5FB9VlJoq1IG_vhrh3MjO1OQnNwt7kzEfMwjvfx6yBGr4hjNiGK69fulQ6TNePVgjXxewv7NPuk5wfNWO22PGkmf_PBY5wCU2z-kJ5eR94wrUrh-lmhzpyuZyrH7WS-eEzHbo/s576/2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5681186093597581234" /></a><div style="text-align: justify;">Now that December is here I figured I could justifiably post my Christmas wish list. Obviously not expecting to actually get all of this stuff, but I wouldn't mind finding a couple of these goodies under my tree on Christmas morning ;)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://hmv.com/hmvweb/displayProductDetails.do?ctx=280;0;-1;-1;-1&sku=276478">Florence & The Machine Ceremonials</a> - Love a bit of Florence; I used to listen to the last album, Lungs, obsessively and I'm sure I'll be the same with this one.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.illamasqua.com/shop/catalogue/category/freak-fragrance/products/freak-75ml-eau-de-parfum/355/">Illamasqua Freak Eau De Parfum</a> - I made a mental note to put this on my Christmas list as soon as I smelled it at the Illamasqua event I went to. Such a gorgeous fragrance and the bottle is so unusual. Fabulous.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://www.lush.co.uk/product/5738/Christmas-Tweets-Gift">Lush Christmas Tweets</a> - Lush is one of my favourite brands for lovely bathtime goodies and their Christmas gift sets are adorable. I really like the look of the Tiny Hands hand serum that comes in this one.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.topshop.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?beginIndex=0&viewAllFlag=&catalogId=33057&storeId=12556&productId=2110760&langId=-1&sort_field=Relevance&categoryId=391052&parent_categoryId=203984&pageSize=200">Topshop Faux Fur Collar Swing Coat</a> - Desperately need a new coat and for once I fancy something quite classic. Normally I go for 'statement' coats (the one I'm currently wearing has a mix of leopard, zebra and dalmatian print on it) but I think I might try and get something a bit more toned down this year. The white fluffy collar on this looks super snuggly!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.hm.com/gb/product/96788?article=96788-B#article=96788-C">Chip & Dale Jumper H&M</a> - There seems to be loads of Disney stuff in the shops at the moment, which is great for a crazed Disney fan like me. I once danced with Chip & Dale in Disneyland Paris (true story) so I need to get my hands on this jumper.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.tedbaker.com/women%27s/women%27s_accessories/purses/list.aspx#-&styCode=90743&colRef=00-BLACK PATENT&path=/women's/women's accessories/purses/">Ted Baker Roverz purse</a> - I love my Shin & Company purse but I think it's time to admit defeat and get a new one as it really is falling to pieces. This Ted Baker purse is a proper grown up one (it's so shiny) but the silver clasp thing at the top is two doggies! Grown up AND fun - perfect!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.office.co.uk/womens/office/norman_chelsea_boot/10/725/2133/1?fs=725">Office Norman chelsea boots</a> - Really wish I'd managed to get my hands on the Topshop Allegras but they're gone gone gone (although I am watching a few pairs on eBay). However, these Norman boots from Office are incredibly similar, I think the only real difference is that the heel is a bit higher, so I would happily get these instead.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://hmv.com/hmvweb/simpleMultiSearch.do?searchUID=&pGroupID=-1&adultFlag=false&simpleSearchString=how+to+be+a+woman+caitlin+moran&primaryID=0">Caitlin Moran: How To Be A Woman</a> - I've been meaning to buy this for ages - Caitlin Moran is brilliant (follow her on Twitter).</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.love-makeup.co.uk/real-techniques-core-collection-p-2340.html">Real Techniques Core Collection</a> - When Samantha Chapman announced that she was releasing her own range of makeup brushes, I got very excited because let's face it, she is a genius. The Core Collection contains four fabulous face brushes (the buffing brush in particular is supposed to be amazing). I need this in my life.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.boots.com/en/Soap-Glory-trade-Big-Splendour-trade-_1220013/">Soap and Glory Big Splendour</a> - Soap and Glory always bring out loads of gorgeous gift sets around Christmas and this is the biggest one available, containing ten of their most iconic products. To be honest, I'd be happy enough with just a tub of the Righteous Butter, but I wouldn't say no to all the rest!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.hm.com/gb/product/95813?article=95813-A">H&M Snoopy Pyjamas</a> - You have to get a snuggly pair of jammies for Christmas, it's practically the law. Love Snoopy, love the patterned bottoms, so cute!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">So that's everything - I don't want much really, do I?! </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Eeek Christmas is just a few weeks away! Have you started your Christmas shopping yet? And what's on your wish list? Tell me things! </i></div>frankihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02806962918030662754noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2322773838648754903.post-69502199125508217642011-11-23T18:30:00.000+00:002011-11-23T18:30:01.797+00:00<div style="text-align: justify;">I think we've well established by now that I am a BIG FAN of nail art and nail painting in general. On the rare occasions when my nails are naked, I think they just look so boring and I'm desperate to re-paint them again. I've realised that even though it can be frustrating and time-consuming, I actually really like the process of painting nails; selecting a colour, wiping off the brush, placing it against your cuticle and making that first stroke... oooh that's my idea of fun! </div><div style="text-align: justify;">Anyway, I think I've mentioned it before but I'm getting a bit sick of the same old nail art designs - leopard print, polka dot - and have chosen to go for a plain nail a lot more frequently. I thought I'd share some images of my recent nail escapades...</div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5DGtIuTFxvNjpvd4e5p3RtYuFlnaeNmZMoHgzBTwvtpvXuv-49w-itFeJ5pvrix5r6Ku6eantQS1ospg0GQXzvz7xrdQcjUoc1Wj2kGiX2uDfBnznAwx-uN9_DiaThUdD53EqbDmafbmg/s1600/P1030178.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5DGtIuTFxvNjpvd4e5p3RtYuFlnaeNmZMoHgzBTwvtpvXuv-49w-itFeJ5pvrix5r6Ku6eantQS1ospg0GQXzvz7xrdQcjUoc1Wj2kGiX2uDfBnznAwx-uN9_DiaThUdD53EqbDmafbmg/s576/P1030178.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5678188035385165282" /></a><div style="text-align: justify;">If you read <a href="http://thelittlecurlygirl.blogspot.com/2011/11/purple-tastic.html">this post</a>, you'll know that I had the Shellac treatment at the Spa where I'm currently interning. The manicure is supposed to last for two weeks without chipping. I didn't make it to two weeks, mainly because a) I didn't like the amount of re-growth that was showing - the picture above was after nine days and although I loved the colour, I hated having that big chunk of bare nail at the bottom. b) I'd just bought the new issue of Glamour magazine that came with a free Nails Inc polish and I couldn't wait to try it out. You're supposed to have Shellac removed in a salon with proper CND nail wraps, but I did it myself using <a href="http://www.iheartcosmetics.co.uk/2011/02/gel-polish-how-to-diy-remove-shellac.html">this guide</a> and it was fine, albeit a bit messy. (the polish flakes off into lots of little pieces, which go EVERYWHERE)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5yf2tR4_SHk6nNRRufnVQi0m6zfk-sjhtyNO9JzaRnj5aDPAnsorw2LkZQxzH920KNJleGcjElJrq0eWikYtaDrgpfdYoHj7eIuki_J_jP5k14YmBBOkRsG9jC-i-qsBOmZcaGDAFtVZC/s1600/P1030182.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5yf2tR4_SHk6nNRRufnVQi0m6zfk-sjhtyNO9JzaRnj5aDPAnsorw2LkZQxzH920KNJleGcjElJrq0eWikYtaDrgpfdYoHj7eIuki_J_jP5k14YmBBOkRsG9jC-i-qsBOmZcaGDAFtVZC/s576/P1030182.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5678188043101950754" /></a><div style="text-align: justify;">Nails Inc polish in Victoria (free with Glamour Magazine). This is the polish I couldn't wait to wear. I'm LOVING dark reds at the moment, I think they're perfect for Autumn and very flattering. It's difficult to get a nice even finish with this polish; as you can probably see, some nails look darker than others. Still a lovely colour though.</div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_YAIuieItT-3vSy1JSSPPuauyQCdJNulbuEYi5M_yTK99LxQiFd367GPqPCjJnNTGfNrUEkOdgDtAYmOoe3I0bgY4wR-RO8UG6EyzzELKVPWvdGO2Bvdt_X7gpAQvAMWczvnm3Bn0or3K/s1600/P1030197.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_YAIuieItT-3vSy1JSSPPuauyQCdJNulbuEYi5M_yTK99LxQiFd367GPqPCjJnNTGfNrUEkOdgDtAYmOoe3I0bgY4wR-RO8UG6EyzzELKVPWvdGO2Bvdt_X7gpAQvAMWczvnm3Bn0or3K/s576/P1030197.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5678188046709368578" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Barry M Nail Effects in 314 Pink, Models Own x WAH Nails Smash Up Silver </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>and Models Own Black Magic</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Had a bit of a play with my two crackle polishes, but didn't like this effect at all and took it off pretty much straight away. I tried layering the pink over the silver, expecting them to crackle in different ways, but actually it just cracked in all the same places. I change my mind about the crackle effect all the time; sometimes I love it, sometimes I hate it; I think it depends what colours you use The black base I used here made it look a bit too grungey for me, which I'm not a fan of.</div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaxUOm-Z-lGR1gxvAN07JEuFASVHPou3m03PMtDbzg92yIjEFYzdz1F-jQ_X83KrSEv3Tr0WDid5ZwxREwHZpEbNj8VoaBHwfK4ur1jDOb8_vIkDvm_ES0ycMouZ2mQ3rbk09IhD5X7YvI/s1600/P1030208.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaxUOm-Z-lGR1gxvAN07JEuFASVHPou3m03PMtDbzg92yIjEFYzdz1F-jQ_X83KrSEv3Tr0WDid5ZwxREwHZpEbNj8VoaBHwfK4ur1jDOb8_vIkDvm_ES0ycMouZ2mQ3rbk09IhD5X7YvI/s576/P1030208.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5678188054893669202" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Nail Polish by H&M in U Must Have This, 17 Lasting Fix Nail Polish in Tropical Island, Collection 2000 Hot Looks in Spangles, GOSH Special Edition Nail Lacquer in Lavender Love and Barry M Nail Paint in 317 Blue Moon</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I had a bit a of 'shopping the stash' moment (if you're not familiar with this term, it's a blogger way of saying going back through your makeup collection and re-discovering some old faves) and found loads of polishes that I'd not worn for a while. Only problem was I couldn't decide on a colour to wear! </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHVd1MZMMN5Iw85HEdwb370DZRHQkhi0LRztl2-05icqd3aiShgf0UiWGnF3GEkUP_4S10qzKwE1QuUBgXqaCsWSXa55AZT-2Fhw6oJ73CS-iSvxRQAD8CB-V6M15PvxRjNJxqFN91FDxf/s1600/P1030210.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHVd1MZMMN5Iw85HEdwb370DZRHQkhi0LRztl2-05icqd3aiShgf0UiWGnF3GEkUP_4S10qzKwE1QuUBgXqaCsWSXa55AZT-2Fhw6oJ73CS-iSvxRQAD8CB-V6M15PvxRjNJxqFN91FDxf/s576/P1030210.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5678188056762416610" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Chanel Nail Colour in 505 Particuliere, Models Own Purple Grey, Models Own Red Red Wine, Nail Polish by H&M in Blue My Mind and ASOS Paint by Ciate in Lily.</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Right hand. I eventually settled on a combination of the blue (H&M Blue My Mind) and red (Models Own Red Red Wine), which I think go really well together.</div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUorAIOjDwOlw3rrTbxIkUw1anXH8h93CFFks_HkuRZEmS4AO-aEJJgmgT4TNiTEoWU6JKAO3LfreT2pNQf5h_PGL7OBc1svG9LjYTACM8bd0M-vSeCaUJngMj5ua8ewcrLJTKgNqwEr8o/s1600/tumblr_luhotxpaiT1qb13g8o1_1280.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUorAIOjDwOlw3rrTbxIkUw1anXH8h93CFFks_HkuRZEmS4AO-aEJJgmgT4TNiTEoWU6JKAO3LfreT2pNQf5h_PGL7OBc1svG9LjYTACM8bd0M-vSeCaUJngMj5ua8ewcrLJTKgNqwEr8o/s576/tumblr_luhotxpaiT1qb13g8o1_1280.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5678190550605455618" /></a><div style="text-align: justify;">I then saw this image on the <a href="http://wah-nails.com/">WAH Nails blog</a> and had to give it a go; which resulted in this...</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdN1nJxPfcJo4WPtJ9xa4KJfjJvqrkfewfjbIGLPudRiKyN8Y2r4T0ERYQSp09NwNy-XMrxdTZdVAkjefuR-yKa2NBfupeGl18k3cLQbeatQTV-Yj5tRnZpWEV12vzwjedOOUFhmYKic3D/s1600/P1030212.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdN1nJxPfcJo4WPtJ9xa4KJfjJvqrkfewfjbIGLPudRiKyN8Y2r4T0ERYQSp09NwNy-XMrxdTZdVAkjefuR-yKa2NBfupeGl18k3cLQbeatQTV-Yj5tRnZpWEV12vzwjedOOUFhmYKic3D/s576/P1030212.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5678189465762295250" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Nowhere near as good. I just can't master tribal print designs! Even though they're quite simple - dots, stripes, zig zags etc - they have to be very precise for them to look good. I'm good at doing stuff like leopard print because you can get away with being a bit messy with it. Anyone have any tips for getting these designs nice and neat?!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">So that's how my nails have been looking over the past couple of weeks. I'm currently sporting the red from the image above with glittery tips (Models Own Juicy Jules), which I'm sure I'll photograph at some point.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>What nail looks are you currently loving? Got any ideas for easy but striking nail art designs? Am I the only one whose hands get tired posing for nail photos?</i></div>frankihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02806962918030662754noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2322773838648754903.post-52699816880278811882011-11-21T16:14:00.001+00:002011-11-21T16:22:29.978+00:00War paint against Mediocrity<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjo49amz2XVEVN6Ju4Fx5mUzcFK2GJ01S2wKa69iPQv92DsI_2r4gcrc5HEMxf8dynQhIgbVcyHbycuYPzJYDw8t6YV21M7Bwl2FublZzF23dZp2o3eI5yqiR26iVfrmKEKDlATO4CP9Gx/s1600/392098_10150362048336567_32415626566_8851609_917457179_n.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjo49amz2XVEVN6Ju4Fx5mUzcFK2GJ01S2wKa69iPQv92DsI_2r4gcrc5HEMxf8dynQhIgbVcyHbycuYPzJYDw8t6YV21M7Bwl2FublZzF23dZp2o3eI5yqiR26iVfrmKEKDlATO4CP9Gx/s576/392098_10150362048336567_32415626566_8851609_917457179_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5676031414794205618" /></a><div style="text-align: justify;">If you watched my most recent video, you will have seen me talking about the new Illamasqua store that's just opened in Liverpool. I was lucky enough to be invited to the launch event for the store and had a lovely evening that mainly consisted of playing with some of the most beautiful products I've ever seen.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8i9W0Aw7E17LrNlSNl3V2oJbWPKI9GQNmEz0GMUVFN8rwSDDCVW52tHbTZO-R2bjK_U19gJiky1XWOBFHWxfENy2ceZQLyJiAyg9dXVcMyUgzXt60laUXVr0TYDLG4T8R7eiyh8iQ-RPK/s1600/391181_10150362032341567_32415626566_8851566_1378570838_n.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8i9W0Aw7E17LrNlSNl3V2oJbWPKI9GQNmEz0GMUVFN8rwSDDCVW52tHbTZO-R2bjK_U19gJiky1XWOBFHWxfENy2ceZQLyJiAyg9dXVcMyUgzXt60laUXVr0TYDLG4T8R7eiyh8iQ-RPK/s576/391181_10150362032341567_32415626566_8851566_1378570838_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5676032096216280530" /></a><div style="text-align: justify;">I have been aware of Illamasqua for a while, mostly from reading about it on blogs. It's only been around for the past three years so it's still a relatively new brand, but it has become well known in the beauty community as a brand that takes risks, both with the products it releases (green lipgloss anyone?) and the incredibly beautiful, theatrical images it uses when publicising new collections. In the words of M&S, this is no ordinary makeup brand! It's a brand that embraces being different, standing out in a crowd, putting as much colour and sparkly stuff on your face as is physically possible and being bloody fabulous. This is a brand that has been missing from Liverpool for far too long. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The event took place in the new Illamasqua store (which, if you're from Liverpool, is in the Met Quarter) and was a super-glamourous evening featuring flamboyant performers, yummy cocktails and fabulous free lash and lip treatments. I was excited to meet fellow Scouse blogger, Lucy, of <a href="http://lalalucy1000.blogspot.com/">Lalalucy</a>, as I've been reading her blog for a while now and it meant I wasn't just wandering around on my lonesome all evening!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUUXfd4ywcs5bSWk96fvmMoBNHJg9NRli1eCatZk5yt829I3hqOkc2DxtTMB2QQ8rbjhDqsuHeLstaxshT-oQ0E8CMIIGBRrdHfrKL5g4W-DrDqa0N8pzPrH19ES-JztbOWF_dQg7u6euY/s1600/319226_10150362036761567_32415626566_8851575_490836525_n.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUUXfd4ywcs5bSWk96fvmMoBNHJg9NRli1eCatZk5yt829I3hqOkc2DxtTMB2QQ8rbjhDqsuHeLstaxshT-oQ0E8CMIIGBRrdHfrKL5g4W-DrDqa0N8pzPrH19ES-JztbOWF_dQg7u6euY/s576/319226_10150362036761567_32415626566_8851575_490836525_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5676029187337867458" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Oh so many pretty colours...</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The store is absolutely packed full of gorgeous things to look at; I was like a child in a sweetshop! Lucy and I spent a lot of our time just moving from product to product, sticking our fingers into pots of sparkly things and going "oooh!" The lovely Illamasqua team were constantly on hand to demonstrate all of the different products and explain more about the brand. After practically drooling over the amazing display of lashes, we were treated to a lash application of our choice and Lucy and I, being serious magpies, went for the gorgeous Decadence lashes, which are decorated in tiny little crystals.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWRfOs-2D9SqZjDWKov4ql47PmtIU2BFX5zj7wlp0DB-ZjWGF5I0wJkiUeTtUmTiVdOnLgNwT_aabEGAiuu7oKoJGHLOX4nm3KVW6qFKIUNrWDGhgWxOnUTBXYoc2tqPOx110PiyWLxPFj/s1600/me+and+lucy.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWRfOs-2D9SqZjDWKov4ql47PmtIU2BFX5zj7wlp0DB-ZjWGF5I0wJkiUeTtUmTiVdOnLgNwT_aabEGAiuu7oKoJGHLOX4nm3KVW6qFKIUNrWDGhgWxOnUTBXYoc2tqPOx110PiyWLxPFj/s576/me+and+lucy.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5676031411745668482" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Lucy and I with our amazing lashes!</i></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglEd9x37HqKyZ-hOngLkNMZhvZkjaxvpp8pD2HIMjsQXW3zFB8QzQQgILyKtVXbXHF0aJIbp0ttT0oGQE3UXv7JK87b2BHpnzmqhHaKQFZuAnUBfun4T7LgsIbC-fAyow9n9_G65FcHfEC/s1600/388240_10150361968691567_32415626566_8851434_611750430_n.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglEd9x37HqKyZ-hOngLkNMZhvZkjaxvpp8pD2HIMjsQXW3zFB8QzQQgILyKtVXbXHF0aJIbp0ttT0oGQE3UXv7JK87b2BHpnzmqhHaKQFZuAnUBfun4T7LgsIbC-fAyow9n9_G65FcHfEC/s576/388240_10150361968691567_32415626566_8851434_611750430_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5676029200558862738" /></a><div style="text-align: justify;">Also, did I mention that ALEX BOX was there?! Argh! For some reason I didn't expect her to be there, so when I saw her in the store, all green and fabulous, I got a bit star-struck. Also there was the MD, Joseph Corré, (Vivienne Westwood's son - seriously, how awesome is this brand?!). Both Joseph and Alex just looked far too cool for me to actually go up and speak to, but I did shoot a few awe-filled glances their way, which I'm sure they appreciated and weren't freaked out by at all...</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY0IGIUDBueMb-jq1RkPIHB_QpMEvzcmFzw13BBVMCHSyZDdpIMoIu2UkPFZUMuuaNLVGQ94cAkzjUUC3vesrvyk1tWUDDx7unTEH3ezJzk1jr4zsbYU2PkZUH73Uylw4WAEPc23pLk8I8/s1600/381172_10150362042641567_32415626566_8851594_281130970_n.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY0IGIUDBueMb-jq1RkPIHB_QpMEvzcmFzw13BBVMCHSyZDdpIMoIu2UkPFZUMuuaNLVGQ94cAkzjUUC3vesrvyk1tWUDDx7unTEH3ezJzk1jr4zsbYU2PkZUH73Uylw4WAEPc23pLk8I8/s576/381172_10150362042641567_32415626566_8851594_281130970_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5676031425996441346" /></a><div style="text-align: justify;">After a quick speech from Alex, thanking everyone for attending, (any time Alex, any time) there was a performance by La Fleur Mecanique, which was basically a very beautifully made up lady dancing inside a big mechanical flower; very intriguing! This was to celebrate the launch of Illamasqua's new perfume, Freak, which has definitely made my Christmas list (the bottle has a SNAIL on it!).</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtVe1svFvuE4b5vg0lny1MScCF2K2hkoJGjBnH-WwNrhum85GKCJxG10JSH56OBOqWUHMZs28VF1_n1C9DlqoB60Tid3VLJuaRb2O1XiIqzG2AntvmMqCT5XCbv5nGhK8Oip711IFjPduT/s1600/377882_10150362037361567_32415626566_8851577_1294875265_n.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtVe1svFvuE4b5vg0lny1MScCF2K2hkoJGjBnH-WwNrhum85GKCJxG10JSH56OBOqWUHMZs28VF1_n1C9DlqoB60Tid3VLJuaRb2O1XiIqzG2AntvmMqCT5XCbv5nGhK8Oip711IFjPduT/s576/377882_10150362037361567_32415626566_8851577_1294875265_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5676029191993703954" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Myself, Lucy and Hayley, who looked after us all night.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;">What a fab evening! As we were about to leave, we were given ridiculously good gift bags - I would have been happy with just my sparkly lashes! Here's what was inside...</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjACM5i2mMpWS_N1z5sT_HAqV0atBteelyP-yVQ37xOWkctbTOVlvoW03U-ZckUCutT0hd5qVSaR1eaoqHN5WFnXKKWR-ZPQ6Vx-vuw7tW-IY1ict0EXHKOqPTKnUHvUPsHJWtCZybkCawS/s1600/P1030265.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjACM5i2mMpWS_N1z5sT_HAqV0atBteelyP-yVQ37xOWkctbTOVlvoW03U-ZckUCutT0hd5qVSaR1eaoqHN5WFnXKKWR-ZPQ6Vx-vuw7tW-IY1ict0EXHKOqPTKnUHvUPsHJWtCZybkCawS/s576/P1030265.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5677478075562513682" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWiXAwR7Tnvkxen5dvFu7ZnBwUP_Y0OP5g-Lki8BJJxAJXU_CVrHOnBAnWXdQ9dWZFOqq5L-r7wapfPHZdhCf-qT-DevOXy5hyk-7LTKzhBQtFADJU2VexKhKyNjrbKFZw0V56vFBLUGub/s1600/P1030269.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWiXAwR7Tnvkxen5dvFu7ZnBwUP_Y0OP5g-Lki8BJJxAJXU_CVrHOnBAnWXdQ9dWZFOqq5L-r7wapfPHZdhCf-qT-DevOXy5hyk-7LTKzhBQtFADJU2VexKhKyNjrbKFZw0V56vFBLUGub/s576/P1030269.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5677478095664216338" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Bronzing Duo in Glint & Writhe, Illumine Oil in Pulse and Intense Lipgloss in Femme</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs5tGx_7m2MbMODDutT30RFDgN5oihTysJ22LfWeCgOY1qizwDRnkt84Ti4uqaVUb3VjSHo9qM_hTAtl_t-nYm4R4YMQ_AaPB5KwPDblZVauaPgh5yqn9gmg59DRXnksYqWCGIgREVWs3M/s1600/P1030268.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs5tGx_7m2MbMODDutT30RFDgN5oihTysJ22LfWeCgOY1qizwDRnkt84Ti4uqaVUb3VjSHo9qM_hTAtl_t-nYm4R4YMQ_AaPB5KwPDblZVauaPgh5yqn9gmg59DRXnksYqWCGIgREVWs3M/s576/P1030268.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5677478083610762322" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Lashes in 017 and Decadence (these are the ones I had on at the event - they're reusable so I was given the box to keep them in once I'd taken them off. LOOK HOW SPARKLY!)</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I can now officially say I am in love with this brand. I was so impressed, I went back to the store the following Saturday for a 'transformation' (makeover). Will probably do a separate post on that soon (I bought something amazing). I now have a list as long as my arm, of products that I desperately need in my life!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>What do you think of Illamasqua? Got any products to recommend? Are you jealous of my lashes? You should be ;) </i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" >All photos courtesy of the <a href="http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150361968146567.344927.32415626566&type=3">Illamasqua Facebook page</a>, apart from the one of me and Lucy and the ones of my goodie bag, which are my handiwork.</span></i></div>frankihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02806962918030662754noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2322773838648754903.post-64846312779319887252011-11-14T17:00:00.000+00:002011-11-14T20:00:10.342+00:00"The prettier the flower, the farther from the path"<div style="text-align: justify;">Bonjour my little chickens! How are you all? Good weekend? I certainly hope so! This weekend I mainly did a lot of eating (surprise surprise), some singing and dancing (at Into The Woods rehearsals) and plenty of snuggling up with Joe watching stuff on 4OD/BBC iPlayer. Now that the nights are getting darker so much earlier and it's SO DAMN COLD there is literally nothing better than a good snuggle I say!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">So this is my November Love/Hate post, I've completely given up trying to come up with monthly pun titles, my brain just isn't as good as it used to be...</div><div><br /></div><b>I'm currently loving;</b><div><b><br /></b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsTSFYxPnKf-8IpTxuR4GjtwacLH-dto-fh8zfdlv2ydmsIiyEQiu-an-8Gz42Wk-hPHngjDFjJQWc5VGowU7ix72LuEIU_Rtg5zypIz8lDB76-xFk3s5AA5lQ4KrSCGSAIipb1odEMmZN/s1600/300px-HOLLYOAKS.png" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsTSFYxPnKf-8IpTxuR4GjtwacLH-dto-fh8zfdlv2ydmsIiyEQiu-an-8Gz42Wk-hPHngjDFjJQWc5VGowU7ix72LuEIU_Rtg5zypIz8lDB76-xFk3s5AA5lQ4KrSCGSAIipb1odEMmZN/s576/300px-HOLLYOAKS.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5674915853820630946" /></a><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Hollyoaks.</b> I'm not even embarassed to admit this. Yes, it's mainly just a lot of stupidly pretty people whose acting skills leave A LOT to be desired but OHMYGOD how good was the Halloween episode?! The whole Silas-is-a-serial-killer storyline went on for way too long, but by golly they did end it very well. If you don't watch it, you won't have a clue what I'm talking about, but in a nutshell; there was an old man called Silas, who was secretly a serial killer and on Halloween he accidentally killed HIS OWN DAUGHTER because he thought she was Lyndsey because they were both wearing the same Halloween costume!!! Dun dun dun!</div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPbBgWBatM-mG8Rq2SvTGBFSW4ckWvsdBZ_TjyakZ_ysS2KWAPB-YdKsD2LxTGjiHKNUaUrqNh1ooO2fCp56tukWuwabC5mhWR2ou9W1-h3huG_u6bciWZFAhY97kl671W4Pna2863LHcO/s1600/antm-cycle-17-group.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPbBgWBatM-mG8Rq2SvTGBFSW4ckWvsdBZ_TjyakZ_ysS2KWAPB-YdKsD2LxTGjiHKNUaUrqNh1ooO2fCp56tukWuwabC5mhWR2ou9W1-h3huG_u6bciWZFAhY97kl671W4Pna2863LHcO/s576/antm-cycle-17-group.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5674915846359911570" /></a><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>ANTM</b>. Season 17 of America's Next Top Model (yes, that's right, there have been SEVENTEEN seasons of this show and it only started in 2003) is absolutely brilliant. Basically, Tyra "I'm literally completely mad" Banks has brought back contestants from all the previous seasons and is forcing them to take part in just the most ridiculously bizarre tasks ever. The best one was when all of the models had to write a song about themselves and then Tyra told them they also had to incorporate the lyrics "Pot Ledom, that's Top Model backwards" into their songs. Just... so very mad and so very wonderful.</div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOzBDE5Jxw67a2XMmaUdEzzRZSh2BiSKgJG4p7gxALYLdicHGLW6u9VDgrh0igs5kbRoONqjLZgw918bbsy6VwYkOa_FaHQL0q2tFUZCLowgxzuvXVwUsaeaSgYr5NIAvLX1nBicVQM-Uo/s1600/P1030184.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOzBDE5Jxw67a2XMmaUdEzzRZSh2BiSKgJG4p7gxALYLdicHGLW6u9VDgrh0igs5kbRoONqjLZgw918bbsy6VwYkOa_FaHQL0q2tFUZCLowgxzuvXVwUsaeaSgYr5NIAvLX1nBicVQM-Uo/s576/P1030184.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5674904341486511186" /></a><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Glamour magazine freebies.</b> Even though it meant having to buy a magazine with Old Misery Face on the cover (I don't know why she irritates me so much, but she really does), I managed to get hold of a free Nails Inc polish. There are four to collect; Picadilly Circus - a dark plum, Basil Street - a nude beige, Tate - a dark red and Victoria - a red/black (oxblood?) which is the one I got. I LOVE FREEBIES!</div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL5__ACXbgxBdVv7AhWins3kMtZF_hnHT8PaWPEpjPQUbftXyofLrVUbAwBjmVMof8XGx_mZOdMiwTKxXCinRSju-rl1eRXLV4bPAa2imzENjsxHa0Zs9X2T3G4yJYATMbkG2ylPT-qRU7/s1600/P1030140.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL5__ACXbgxBdVv7AhWins3kMtZF_hnHT8PaWPEpjPQUbftXyofLrVUbAwBjmVMof8XGx_mZOdMiwTKxXCinRSju-rl1eRXLV4bPAa2imzENjsxHa0Zs9X2T3G4yJYATMbkG2ylPT-qRU7/s576/P1030140.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5674904335741916978" /></a><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>A blast from the past.</b> I spotted these in Poundland last week and couldn't resist. Please don't think I'm some kind of baking heathen (I know how bloggers are supposed to be excellent bakers, but quite frankly, I'm just not) but these reminded me of when I was little and used to go to my Nan's house every Saturday. She'd buy My Little Pony cupcake kits and I remember how amazed I was the first time she explained that the little stickers you decorated the cakes with were made of rice paper. Paper you can eat. PAPER YOU CAN EAT!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><iframe width="640" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/2XY3AvVgDns?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Beyonce's new video.</b> How flippin' gorgeous is this woman?! I think the styling for this video, and the makeup in particular, is just stunning. Apparently everything she's wearing in the video is from American Apparel, so if you wanted to recreate the video, look for look, you literally could do that. Not that that wouldn't be a weird thing to do, but if you wanted to, you could do it.</div><br /><b>I'm currently hating;</b><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>My hair.</b> I feel like I desperately need a new 'do, but I'm so darn indecisive. It's a tricky one because it's naturally curly, which limits what styles would really work (for example, I can't have a fringe because I'd either have to straighten it every day, or clip it back, which kind of defeats the point). Also, I don't really want to lose much of the length, because I like that when it's straight, it reaches really quite far down my back. I'm also a bit scared of hair dye, because once you start dying, you can't really stop. Basically, I need a style that works for long, naturally curly hair, that can be worn straight or curly and doesn't require much maintaining at all. Does anyone have the answer? No? Right, I'm off to buy a selection of wigs instead...</div></div>frankihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02806962918030662754noreply@blogger.com7