What I Wore: Pink to Make the Boys Wink

Blazer: F&F Dress: Motel*

Anyone else remember that saying? Although whether the much talked about shade does in fact grab the attention of the opposite sex is debatable in my eyes. I've said it before and I'll say it again, pink is not really 'me.' I feel about 12 in the colour and I prefer it on my lips then on my clothes. I do love the style and fit of the dress though, which is why I wore it out to the Carat Blogger Event yesterday evening in Manchester. I apologise to anyone who saw me there as I was a mess, thanks to the humid weather. I also blame the wasp on the train for making me move carriages, the train not terminating in the mainland station like it normally does - cue me having to move like lightning to not miss my stop and end up at the Pleasure Beach in Blackpool and wearing too many layers thanks to the climate difference between a 20 mile radius. Gosh, that sounds like a reverse Oscar award acceptance speech, doesn't it? Speaking of which, if you're after a laugh with regards complaints and what not - check out Mark Jorgy's blog who gave a talk at the Carat event. 
I'm going to be blogging about the event in more detail over the next week with tips I picked up and what not. Thanks again to the team at Carat Media who were lovely to speak (and listen) to, and to the brands there. I got to take home a ridiculously cute Matalan bag - if you follow me on Twitter, you'll know the one I'm talking about, if not, shame on you (just kidding!). 

Review: HD Brows Brow Beater

HD Brows Brow Beater*

I've never tried a HD Brows product before, but have heard and read the hype around the brand, so when I received this Brow Beater in my May Glossybox - I was excited! My eyebrows are something that up until recently, I'd never taken much notice of. I don't have particularly thick eyebrows (sadly) so I rarely ever pluck them aside from stray hairs. I had them threaded about half a year ago but that's about it. 
The product claims to: 'set untidy brows into place', 'conditions them' and is meant to 'train brows into their correct position over time.' If I had a checklist right now, it would have three ticks next to all of those claims. I was worried at first about the lotion as I had visions of stickiness but it's not sticky at all. The brush easily lifts my brows into place, providing them with much more shape and structure than before. I'm still no expert when it comes to my eyebrows, but this product really has won me over and made me believe in the 'HD Brow hype.' I definitely think I'll be re-purchasing when I (sadly) run out of this tube. The only downside to this product is the constant stares I get when applying on public transport - I'm sure people think I've gone loopy and am applying mascara onto my eyebrows but oh well!
For photos of my eyebrows after using this product, see my latest outfit posts here and here. 

Review: No7 Stay Perfect Top Coat

No7 Stay Perfect Top Coat - £7 - Boots

I have a confession. Up until a few weeks ago, I'd never bought or used a top coat. It's mainly because I'm not the biggest nail fan. Don't get me wrong, I love my nails to look pretty, but it adds more time onto my already long routine and you have to continuously change the shade - and don't get me started on chipping! However, I have been indulging in my nails recently and with Boots handing out £5 No7 vouchers left, right and centre (please do this forever!), I thought I'd give it go. 

As always, you have the usual sleek No7 bottle design with gold writing which I like. I'd normally write about the shade now, but as there is none - let's discuss the claims it makes and whether I felt they lived up to expectation. It claims to 'touch dry in 60 seconds', to be 'long lasting' and 'peel and chip resistant.' As far as dry-time goes - it does dry extremely fast which is good for me as I'm quite impatient with my nails. I do find that the top coat is long lasting as I never need to top it up, however my nails do still chip. I don't know if that's because my actual nail varnish is shoddy or whether it's the top coat, but it's easily rectified with a top up. 
Would I purchase this again? Yes. Before I used a top coat, my nails would smudge within seconds and chip non-stop so it's converted me back into enjoying painting my nails again! I bought this bottle with my No7 voucher so only paid £2 compared to the usual £7.

Do you recommend any top coat brands? 

What I Wore: Pearl Collar

Dress: Topshop Collar: Primark

I always find it interesting when a hairstyle just 'happens.' Today I was originally going for a messy bun but then this happened. Because of the 'big hair', I toned it done with NO RED LIPSTICK (achievement or what?) and a simple black peter pan dress from Topshop. I tried out my new Primark pearl collar which is growing on me, and well, for £4 - you can't go wrong!

Today is a year since I lost my Nanna, so we laid some flowers and a card on her grave earlier. It's crazy how time passes, it feels, and still hurts like it was yesterday. 

What I Wore: A Degree and a Dress

Tunic: ASOS Dress: Miss Selfridge Jewellery: Freedom at Topshop

So last Friday, our results and our degree classifications were published. And when I say Friday, I mean, literally at midnight. To say I felt physically sick was an understatement - knowing that three years of hard work amounted to this one result freaked me out. I've always been like this though - a teacher had to open my A Level results for me as I couldn't bring myself to do it. I was going to wait till a reasonable hour to check my results, but not only was everyone else looking and posting their results on Facebook and Twitter, but my sister came home and encouraged me to look. I was expecting to see my result in numeric form, but no, it was written, so I had to quickly Google to check my classification before I celebrated. Luckily, I'm pleased to say I'll be graduating with a 2:1 in BA (Hons) Journalism with Communication. 
I wore this outfit the day of the results as I was in an extremely good mood. It's a tunic which without the strapless bandeau dress underneath would flash my underwear - not a good look! I teamed it with my new Topshop jewellery and a red lip, because, well, it's me! 
Congratulations and good luck to everyone else receiving their degree results at this time. I hope you all get what you want!

Weekly Round Up

Country walk with the girls, Boyce Avenue & Tyler Hilton at Manchester, My new tripod - no more balancing on household objects anymore!, ASOS dress, New Topshop Freedom jewellery in the sale, My degree congratulations card - so relieved to have got my 2:1!, Waterfall and fountains in Birmingham, Cute print at H&M, Drinks at the canals in Birmingham, Dove print dress at H&M, Gorgeous sausage and mash for tea, Cute (and true) quote

Friday Feature: Debenhams Homeware

Sales are in swing and whilst I don't have the luxury of pampering my own pad, it doesn't stop me browsing the homeware departments to get me eager to move out once again! Debenhams Homeware sale is one to keep an eye out for. I've selected my favourite decorative pieces in their current Summer sale!

1. Natural 'Members Only' doormat - £12.50 2. Set of five wall art mirrors - £22.40 3. Black '1 ton' door stop - £7.50 4. White family tree photo frame - £22.40

5. Red 'take your seat' cushion - £10.00 6. 'Relax' wooden letters - £12.50 7. Black 'VIP' doormat - £12.50 8. White '&' sign - £5.00 9. Hevea chalkboard - £4.50

10. 'Home' cushion - £10.00 11. Cream 'smile' wooden letter blocks - £8.75 12. Set of five silver bow photo frames - £24.50 13. Dark brown 'mosh' multi photo frame - £48.00 14. 'AZ' wooden letters - £9.00

15. Navy 'Home Sweet Home' doormat - £15.75 16. Multicoloured 'Welcome' doormat - £15.75 17. Ivory 'London' names cushion - £9.00 18. Brown dachshund money box - £7.50

Glossybox // June

Glossybox June*
While the weather can't make it's mind up about what season we're in, Glossybox Summer box is a reminder of hopefully warmer days ahead. "We all know lugging around heavy luggage can be a real pain but this summer you can jet around like a pro and lighten the load with these gorgeous miniatures." I'm all for less baggage, but what do I think of this month's selection of goodies? 

1. Glossybox - Serie Exclusiv Pro Beauty Brush - I'm always in the need for new beauty brushes, so was pleased to see it in my box. The bristles seem fairly soft, so I'm interested to see how it applies on to the skin. 
2. Clean Start by Dermalogica - Day/Night/3-step kit - I do tend to stick to the same skincare brands because I know I won't react to them, but I'm interested to see if these will convert me from my usual brand. 
3. Yves Rocher France - Mini Mascara ultra-volume Sexy Pulp - I'm not really a mascara kind of gal (shock horror - I know!), but I do like the colour designed bottle and it's handbag friendly, so that's a plus!
4. BM Beauty - Summer Warmth Bronzer - I have quite pale skin naturally and although I rarely use bronzer, I'm looking forward to trying this as it has a nice radiant glow/shimmer which hopefully will brighten my complexion a little!
5. Vichy - Dermablend Ultra-Corrective Foundation Cream Stick - This is the product I'm most interesting in trying. I use a cheap concealer so I'm looking forward to see if this can win me over. I have quite dark bags under my eyes that I'm insecure about so if it can solve that, then that would be amazing! I was a little baffled about the packaging at first and why I had so many shades, but it's good in that you can tear off the shade(s) you want to use and leave the rest. It also means that for people who don't fit the stereotypical skin shades, you can blend two or three colours together to get your ideal shade!

This isn't my favourite box to date, but I'm still keen to try the products and see if they win me over. 
What do you think of this month's Glossybox? What did you get? 

What I Wore: Coral Ballerina

Top: Primark Skirt: Primark

Thankfully another sunny day, so out came the skirt and short sleeves. I felt a little like a ballerina today, with the puffball skirt and bun, but my skills as an actual ballerina only go as far as a two week dance class as a child. I was always more of a ballroom girl. Tonight I'm going to watch the England match. I have to admit that I don't have the biggest confidence in the team, but I'm hoping they'll surprise me. What do you reckon the score will be? 

What I Wore: Sunny Side Up

Dress: Topshop

After days, well weeks, of what seems to have been a constant grey sky lurking, today it was SUNNY. So to celebrate, I did the typically British thing of baring my legs and wearing a Summer dress. I love the scallop detailing and the sky blue shade which I thought was quite appropriate for today's weather. I did, however, ditch my wedges for some sexy plimsolls for our walk in the country - well, when needs must!

Weekly Round Up

Van Gogh hasn't got anything on me as my Primary school art finally comes home, My interview outfit, True quote in Debenhams, Trafalgar Square, Trip to the National Gallery, Spotted Sam on TV!, So sad to see this empty :(, Hair and make-up on Saturday night, My name is still faintly painted on my old work's ceiling, Clare and I on Saturday at the Dog and Partridge, Dad's card for Fathers day, Our reservation

Friday Feature: Tell Me About It Stud

Whether you play it safe in studs or dare to be bold in spikes, embellishment on a plain black flat is hot right now. And luckily, there's a shoe for every budget, whether you want to splash the cash or save your pennies. Some of these shoes should probably come with a warning sign, but hey - what's fashion if it isn't fun? 

1. Helda Studded Slipper Shoes - £23.99 Missguided, 2. Jeffrey Campbell Martini Gold Stud Black - £105.00 Office, 3. Point Rivets Black Flat Shoes - £49.02 Sheinside,

4. Vectra4 Canvas Studded Slippers - £28.00 Topshop, 5. Studlyy Black Stud Steve Madden - £64.00 Heels.com, 6. Ladies Women Black Loafers Shoes Flat Spike Punk Studded Point Rivets Metal - £41.90 (without P+P) Ebay, 7. London Rebel Black Studded Slipper - £34.99 New Look

What I Wore: The Grass is Always Greener

Dress: Primark

Another dress that I haven't worn for years. The material's a little strange but I do like the colour and buttons so I thought I'd give it another whirl before deciding whether I'll donate it to charity. Recent events have made me take a step back and appreciate what I have. It's easy to moan and think that you have the worst life or 'bad luck always happens to you' but as the old saying goes: "There's always someone worse off." I'm definitely guilty of being a little negative and thinking the grass is always greener on the other side, hopefully I'll refrain from doing that! 

Wednesday Want: Birthday Edition

1. Waterfall Black Skirt - £27.99 Glamorous UK, 2. IL2L Women's Asymmetric Leather Biker Jacket - £90.00 IL2L, 3. Michael Kors Silver Chronograph Bracelet Watch - £179.00 ASOS, 4. Hershesons The Sharp Clip in Fringe (Winge) - £30.00 ASOS

A slightly different Wednesday Want this week. It's the big 21 for me this month so I've compiled a short list of things I'd perhaps purchase if money were no object. There was a much longer list, but then it got ridiculous, so I narrowed it down to these four. 

Motel Rocks 50% Off - Get It Before It's Gone!

While the weather may not say Summer, the sales certainly remind us that Summer is in swing. Kick off your savings with 50% off at Motel Rocks. The official sale doesn't start until next week, but for my lovely readers, AKA YOU - you can shop it now through this secret link. Use the code 'SECRETSALE50' to get 50% off at the checkout. From prints to playsuits and dresses to vests, it's time to bag yourself a bargain!

 Happy shopping!