Nail Art: Go Bananas!

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On my never ending quest to try my hand at a variety of nail art designs I decided to take a (banana) leaf out of Prada's book. It is quite an easy design to draw but you have to have a steady hand. I used Barry M's Yellow - make sure you put a base coat on first as this sucker likes to stain. I drew out large and smaller semi circles the simply joined them up - I added some little details, such as the black ends and lines up the centre. There you have it, fairly simple but effective if you get it right. I think it might take me a couple of times to get it perfect but I hope you don't think this is too bad for my first attempt.  What other nail art should I try? Are you going to try this out? 

What's in my Bag: Featuring Kurt Geiger Clutch

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Everyone seemed to love this post last time so I thought I would do another one. I picked up this awesome see through clutch from Kurt Geiger in the sale. If you like it I would say now is the time to get it £25 down from £35. I'm sure I will get lots of comments about the fact you can see all my belongings but I it looks so good I don't care. I've being loving my lipstick in Valparaiso from NARS  - every time I've had an excuse to wear it I have. It is quite dark but it looks great teamed with more neutral eye make-up. As this clutch wouldn't have much room I thought it would be better to carry a small perfume sample - this one is Lola by Marc Jacobs. It's such a fun scent and not my usual cup of tea but I've grown to love it.  I bought a Kindle Touch this week and I must say I don't know how I lived without one. I was always one of those people that said 'you can't beat a good book, the smell of it etc' but having this has meant I have actually read more in the past week than in the last few months. I really can't recommend it enough.  Lastly I thought I'd show you this headband that I picked up from Topshop in the sale last month. They don't have it on the website anymore but I have linked you through to another spiked number that they have. 

What I Wore: Featuring Doodle Bags

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I seem to be making a habit of leaving large gaps which is very naughty of me. I haven't intended to but I have loads to do this week so that kind of took over. I wanted a chance to post up my amazing bag a received from Doodle bags  - they were kind enough to send me over this one with some shameless self promotion! I love it and have had so many comments about it from family, friend and other bloggers. On their site you can design your own bag and adorn it with anything you want - or you can purchase a pre-made bag designed by somebody else.  I'm going for the casual look today while I'm at home - I love these Leigh jeans from Topshop they are the only ones I ever wear. I have the Vectra flats in this colour and in black - I highly recommend them and they come in so many different colours. My t-shirt is from Urban outfitters but unfortunately it isn't on their website anymore. Lastly my lovely cardigan was actually made by my Grandma - I'm going to add leather shoulder pads to it and stud them in an effort to get something like The Ragged Priest.  I have some exciting news for you all. Me and a couple of other bloggers have got together and have started an events company for bloggers. Blogzilla is still in its infancy but we hope to hold our first event on the 29th July. Please do head over and follow us on twitter, if you live in the North and would like to come along to one of our events that would be the best place to find the latest news. I'm really hoping we can make a success of it and we have loads of exciting brands willing to work with us - so watch this space. 

In The Spotlight: A Weathered Penny

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I am always on the lookout for new boutiques to pick up some interesting costume jewellery - when an email landed in my inbox featuring A Weathered Penny, I had to check them out. I am so glad that I did, they have such interesting pieces. My favourite has to be the galaxy inspired pendant.  Fearne Cotton is a big fan of these cute pieces and has been spotted out and about wearing them - the skull necklace above seems to be her firm favourite. Another great thing about their products is how affordable they are. Too many times I've seen a lovely piece of costume jewellery that has a ridiculous price tag on the side. These purse friendly prices mean anyone can pick something up.  What do you guys think?  Sorry for the quick post today - I have lots of exciting things for you coming soon. Watch this space.

Monthly Miniatures: June

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I'm sure I'm not alone in wanting to test a product before buying the full size. Here are some of the products I have being trying out lately - these were either bought, included when I bought something else or acquired in a goody bag. 

I've being trying out the Aussie Miracle Moist Conditioner this week and I have to say I'm really impressed. As someone who has an aversion to haircuts this conditioner really gets to work on my ends. It smooths out any split ends and smells really good too. Next up we have Liz Earle's Energising Body Scrub - this seriously gets your blood flowing. I use this before I apply any fake tan to smooth out my skin. 

This tester of Freak Eau De Parfum by Illamasqua is actually my second one now. I would really like the full size but it is quite pricey so I might wait for my birthday instead. This is such a deliciously rich scent and very me - I'm not one for flowery girly scents. These NARS make-up removers (makeup removing water and gentle oil-free eye makeup remover) are good products for getting rid of your make-up without leaving your face dry.  They are gentle too with no harsh smells. Lastly is the body cream from Elemis, which I received in a goody bag from Harvey Nichols. I use this after I shower and it has a lovely tropical smell. I work it into my elbows are working at a desk all day leaves them dry and cracked but a blob of this works a treat.

Trend: Tropical Prints

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In honour of my lovely friend Vikki, who is moving away to Barbados at the end of the month, I have decided to zone in on the tropical trend. I can't get enough of it - from first sight of Stella McCartney's Resort 2012 Collection I knew I would be rocking the tropical trend. I already have myself two pairs of tropical print trousers - you can see a pair in a previous post.

 I thought I'd take a look at what the high street had to offer in way of the tropical trend. You will all be pleased to know that you can pick up similar items at a fraction of the price. Zara are most certainly the main brand to be following Stella's trend to the letter. They have an abundance of prints available. Mango isn't somewhere I have shopped before - mainly because the only Mango we have in Leeds is a concession in House of Fraser. I love this dipped-hem dress from them - the scarf print would look great with a pair of sandals on holiday. I am loving the palm print jeans from River Island - I would wear this with a white vest and some studded pumps.

Will you be wearing this trend?

Lust List: Summer Dresses

With my holiday fast approaching and more social events springing up over summer, I've been looking at different dresses for a variety of occasions. Lots of people will be graduating this summer which begs the inevitable question - what do you wear to graduation? When I graduated I wore a dress in black and cream, its hard to look good in a giant black gown, so I didn't want something to fussy. More and more people these days seem to be upping the style stakes for graduation so really many of the above dresses would work. The Sister Jane dress is available to buy at Topshop I really like the galaxy collar but it looks like it could be a little short. The floral tea dress from Topshop would be a great addition to any summer wardrobe - it also has a cut out back which is a cool addition. Maybe on a shorter person like me it could be ok? I think I'm going to get the Zara dress - it would look great with a tan and it is an affordable price. All the other Zara stuff with studs on seem to be insanely overpriced.

Have any caught your eye? 

What I Wore: featuring Chatham Marine

| Top, Romwe | Trousers, River Island | Deck Shoes, Chatham Marine* | 

I was sent over these lovely deck shoes from Chatham Marine - I think they are the perfect shoes for summer and they are so comfy. There is padding inside the sole and the leather is extremely supple. There are some great styles over on their site - I urge you to go take a look. I can see myself wearing these with so many different things.
I photographed the back of my top because from the front it looks like a plain old boring t-shirt. The back is my favourite part - the cut out skulls give it something extra, it looks great with a different coloured top underneath too. I really love the floral trousers trend for summer, I bought these from River Island in the sale for £15. I am intending to add to my collection over the summer months. I had to opt for indoor photos today as the UK has decided it has had enough of sun for now and the pouring rain continues.

What will your staple shoes be for summer? 

A Fashionable Diamond Jubilee

No matter what you think about the royals, it is impossible to escape the Jubilee if you're in the UK at the  moment. Also the fact we have two extra days to our weekend has meant many people have got into the party spirit, there have been street parties going on all over the country. As I am writing this I can hear fireworks going off nearby - although I thought setting them off in the day kind of defeated the purpose. I was asked by Asda to set up my own Jubilee Bloggers Tea Party which I thought would be a fun project to get involved with. They kindly sent over a box of goodies to fill my table with - safe to say the contents of this table didn't last very long after these pictures were taken.

| Dress, George* | Heels, Alexander Wang | 

I was also asked my George to pick a dress out that symbolised an era within the Queens reign - I thought this dress had a 70's vibe about it but the neon accents brought a modern twist. I paired the dress up with my Alexander Wang heels. This dress will be perfect to pack in my case for my holiday next month. I thought I'd try on the tiara and play at being a royal myself. I've being watching the festivities on TV over the weekend - my highlight has to be 64 year old Grace Jones, hula hooping her way through her set.

How did you celebrate the jubilee? 

Fashion In Film: Josie and the Pussycats

I always love a film that doesn't take itself too seriously - Josie and the Pussycats is one of those films. It follows three girls as they try to make something of their band. When they are spotted by a hot-shot manager and their career blows up, they soon find that all is not as it seems. I won't spoil it for anyone that hasn't seen it but I suggest if you haven't you watch it as soon as you can.  I love films that are centered around music and this pokes fun at the industry in tongue in cheek way. The outfits are pretty 'out there' but I think that's what makes it what it is. Every film I've looked at in their series of posts have a unique fashion.



Of course Josie had a fondness for heels in the films and the product placement of Steve Madden meant I couldn't pass these by. I love this Kimono from Nasty Gal - it would go over so many outfits and would make a perfect statement on stage. I know the film featured a lot of sequins but I had to tone it down with this little black dress - every girl should own one. Of course this ensemble wouldn't be complete without a pair of the famous pussycat ears.