Monday 25 November 2013

Tart up Tartan


This season the Tartan print has come back for an ultra-cosy yet chic look that can easily be worn for that formal and casual basis.  I love tartan coats (or known also as 'checked'); they look very fashionable and can be worn easily making an instant style statement – think chunky oversized coats that can add instant colour and a class whilst keeping you snug.  The tartan print can be safely worn by all ages, a versatile and timeless print that is somewhat evergreen...



1. Checked Coat £129 from Zara | 2. Navy Coat and Red Tartan Check Boyfriend Coat £64.99 from New Look| 3. Black Checked Biker Sleeve 2 in 1 Coat £85 from River Island | 4. Per Una Checked Belted Coat with Wool £99 from Marks and Spencer | 5. Collarless Check Wool Jacket £85 from Topshop | 6. Checked Coat £149 from Zara


...ArA...

Thursday 14 November 2013

Autumn/Winter 2013 Make-up Favourite Looks

"The most beautiful makeup of a woman is passion" - Yves Saint-Laurent

Berry/Wine/Plum Lips

Embrace your inner Goth and go for an edgy dark berry lip colour keeping the eyes simple – an instant winter statement. I particular love the matte plum shades, you can simply blot any excess away to tweek the pigmentation to your liking and you are ready to go. The versatility of a matte lipstick means you can finish it off with a hint of gloss for a night out!



Left to Right: Yves Saint Laurent Rouge Rouge Volupté Shine lipstick in shade Prune in Fire £24 from Selfridges
Rimmel Kate Moss Matte Lipstick in Wine £5.49 from Superdrug 

Classic Smokey Eyes

My all-time favourite look, yes the classic smoky eye is a timeless look that can bring out the depths of your eye colour if worked correctly. For Autumn/Winter I like to experiment by mixing subtle plum colour for my bottom eye line – I then team this up with my trusty black kohl liner and blend to create a subtle impact. For instant drama I like to pin my hair back and letting my eyes do all the taking, this adds instant glamour without overdoing it, remember to keep the lips nude for a balanced look.

Nude Lips

Yes the au natruale nude lips are still dominating this season, an easy way to create and lustre and youthful complexion if done correctly! See my earlier blogpost on finding the perfect nude lip shade for your skin tone here.

See my earlier review about the Perfect Nude Lipstick by clicking on the above link!

Bold Brows

I am proud to embrace my natural thick eyebrows, dare I say it they have become one of my signature beauty traits (and have done so for some time)! The likes of Miss Delevingne have certainly shown that having a fuller brow not only makes you look a lot youthful but can transform the whole shape of your face. I tend to use my HD Brows kit to perfect my brows. Another trick is to use a little bit of Vaseline to add instant definition to your brows. Less of the plucking now ladies!



HD Eye & Brow Palette in Vamp £19.96 from HD Brows 


Brrr-ace yourself for Winter!

...ArA...

Saturday 9 November 2013

Light A Candle and ‘Lantern’ up your Evenings…

...Transit umbra, lux permanet...

With the shorter days being an inevitable the one thing that cheers me up after a long day is coming home to the warmth and setting a cosy scene by lighting some candles to bring some bright into the gloomier evenings. Next have a fantastic range of beautiful home décor sets and have something for everyone; from fragranced patchouli candles adding an elegant waft to any room, to spiced candle jars which always remind me that the festive season is near and those Christmas markets, they even have vintage styled lanterns that are to die for!..

#1

Medium Cream Ceramic Lantern £12 from Next

So pretty and understated this lantern holder has a beautiful heart shaped opening and is great to store those bigger pillar candles that need that extra safety support whilst looking ultra shabby chic cute! 

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#2

Wild Orchid and Plum Fragranced Votives £10 from Next
These dainty yet perfectly sized candles smell of classic autumn/winter fragrances that consists of plum, berry, orchid blossoms and notes of amber and sandalwood that create that perfect British autumn/winter feel…they each have an individual pattern which makes them look perfect styled alone (for multiple separate usages) or within the set itself. 

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#3


Festive Spice Fragranced Candle Jar £8 from Next

I love this Candle Jar, not only can it be lit to release the seasonal smell of juicy oranges and festive spices but when not in use it can sit nicely on your dresser/vanity table and act as an intricate trinket jar feature. Plus once all the candle wax is melted you can store whatever you want within this beautiful metallic red jar; but you will have to wait a while, as it alleges to burn up to 60hours! Now that is what I call lasting power. 

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#4

Set of 3 Gold Tea-light Holders £10 from Next

Cannot think of anything more glamours to harbour tea-lights in, with the slightly stained golden glass and embellishments on the front of the holder you are guaranteed to add some extra sparkle to your evening. Perfect for aligning around a frosty window.


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The full collection can be seen on Next online here.


...ArA...






Friday 8 November 2013

Storage: Cake Tins

"Soon her eye fell upon a little glass box lying underneath the table. She opened it and found in it a very small cake, on which the words "EAT ME" were beautifully marked in currants."- Alice's Adventures in Wonderland
Following my last post on storage (see here) I thought I would do a quick post for those of you less inclined to dabble with anything close to DIY. Cake Tins I find are the perfect solution for storing anything besides cake; they look super cute stacked on a dressing table, adding a perfect vintage look whilst being protective and practical in storing those countless items! These storage tins below have been lying around (still in their packaging) for a year or so in my room, only did I recently discover them again (shocking I know, my room is an endless pit of hidden treasures cultivated from the hoarder that is inside me)! Who would want to even considering hiding these beauties in a kitchen cupboard?...





This Set Of 3 Regency Cake Tin can be brought from dotcomgiftshop.com online for £12.95 (plus £2.95 delivery costs). 

Cake anyone?

...ArA...

Thursday 7 November 2013

Perfect Pinks

"I believe in manicures. I believe in overdressing. I believe in primping at leisure and wearing lipstick. I believe in pink. I believe happy girls are the prettiest girls. I believe that tomorrow is another day, and... I believe in miracles." - Audrey Hepburn
I have mentioned before how pink is a big shade for autumn/winter 2013, from pink coats dominating the high street and the likes of Christian Dior emphasised this oh so feminine colour on their winter/autumn catwalk. Think lady-like-pale-barely-there-pinks rather than hot neon numbers (that dominated the summer 2013 trend). This suits me fine as the homebody inside me loves dusty pastel pinks; I feel it is an easy colour for all to wear for an ultra-chic look and so girly *que girly tehehe's*. There is something about these pale pinks that just embraces the season well with it’s snuggly and vintage feel….I had a look around for my favourite pink pieces…


1. Cardigan £34.99 from H&M | 2. Fluffy Swing Boyfriend Coat £89 from Topshop | 3. Light Pink Chunky Knit Snood £15  from River Island | 4. Jersey Lined Lace Shell now £12 from Warehouse | 5. Jacquard Baggy Trousers £39.99 from Warehouse | 6. Mystery Patent Bow Slippers £24 from Topshop

Stay classy!


...ArA...

Wednesday 6 November 2013

DIY Storage Solutions

I am a sucker for anything that looks pretty and vintage...whilst sorting out my endless jewellery collection I needed some pretty boxes that would store the various masses. I wanted something that was unique and individual. So I decided to up cycle some existing containers that I had; a glossy box and *drumroll*… care to believe it  - an empty Ferrero Rocher container!

I used scrap pieces of wallpaper and stuck it onto the outer package of the Glossybox to give it a pretty French theme that co-ordinates well with my existing décor. For the Ferrero Rocher container I simply removed all the interior packaging and got rid of the logo (using a trusty nail varnish remover and a bit of rubbing using cotton wool and patience does the trick)! 

You can leave the clear acrylic container on its own (a bit like those much lusted after Muji containers oh so made famous by the Kardashians), or you can decorate it.  I chose to give it a bit of personality by again using a wallpaper print and washi tape.  This is the result below…*ta-da* I am simply becoming an expert now! XD

The 'Once Upon a Time' Ferrero Rocher Box:

In its former life this pretty necklace box was a Ferrero Rocher container, nifty huh?

Side view of my necklace box, I have used bits of wallpaper to decorate the sides and washi tape.

The 'Once Upon a Time' Glossybox:


Still messy on the inside...*meh*
Side view 



My upcycled Glossybox!


Who loves to upcycle? I am a convert!

...ArA...