Kitty Nail Art

A few weeks ago now, I saw Gem post about Jan Christie nail stickers, which at the time were available on eBay. I had a look through the designs and fell in love with the adorable cats, but I didn't have the spare cash. When it got to payday I saw Gem tweet Jan Christie on Twitter, and I went straight to their brand new website to place an order. It just so happens that I was the first order of the day so I received some free samples with the black cat silhouette I originally ordered! I was also originally overcharged on postage, but even though the issue was resolved in minutes and the team were super lovely about it, they threw in a few extra sheets for me anyway - amazing!

I finally had some time to try them out this weekend, and decided to try the 'Tabby cat with white blaze'. Now, I'm absolutely rubbish at nail art, I can't really do anything with my left hand so I was a bit worried as to how it would turn out, but it was a lot easier to do than I thought. I didn't even use tweezers to apply the stickers as suggested, I just used my fingers, and it was fine! The only problem I had was that the largest stickers were a little too large for my stubby little nails, but I think that was partly due to me not cutting them as effectively as I should have done! I used Models Own Peach Puff, which is a great nude base for these stickers, and they show up really well on it.

I'm so pleased with how they look and can't wait to try out my other stickers. I'm also planning on taking some photos of Alberto and Sookie and getting some custom stickers made!

Things I have learnt from my first application:

• Cut out the sticker right to the edge. As you can see in the close up photo, you can see the edge of the sticker so I think it would look better cut right around the image
• Use tweezers! Your fingers are fine for your thumb but when it gets to your little finger it's hard to place them right first time
• I'm not sure which way up they should be? I like them this way, because I can spend all my time looking at my cat nails, but I'm not sure if they should face outwards?

The instructions are really clear, but they have posted a video on their website too if you need some advice!

Have you tried these nail stickers? I'd love to see photos!

Style on a Sunday: Cat obsessed

My dress has cats on it.

 

 Dress: Warehouse, Cardigan: H&M, Leggings: New Look, Shoes: Primark

It's a pretty good dress, right? I think when I first saw it on the Warehouse website it was £40 but I managed to pick it up for £25! What a bargain, when I would have paid the original price if I'd had the money to spare.

I wore this to lunch with my mum, dad and nana, who are currently up in Yorkshire on holiday to check out the area before they hopefully start to think about moving up here next year. 

Also, following the news from a couple of weeks ago that I passed my driving test (woop!), I have now also been promoted at work - yay! It's been a tough first 4 months of the year, but now I think the rest of the year is going to be awesome. 

Finally, yesterday we ordered the Entertainment Extra package on our Sky so we have all the music channels, so while I'm typing this Ryan is flicking through all the shiny channels and I'm singing along to Justin Timberlake, my Saturday nights are pure rock and roll.

What are you up to this weekend?

P.S. I know I promised another beauty review in my last post, and it will be up this week, promise!

Beauty: the POREfessional

I've been using this product for about a month after seeing some great reviews online and I have to say it is one of the best products I own and an absolute must-have.

the POREfessional is a Benefit product and to start with has the quirky and cute Benefit-look packaging I personally love. The product itself is a balm and it feels really soft when applied and works brilliantly as a primer for foundation/powder. When the balm is applied it blurs your pores so they aren't as visible, so when you then add makeup they completely disappear.

I have quite visible on my nose, forehead and chin, and I really do find the the POREfessional makes these far less noticeable than any other primer/makeup combination I have used before. I tend to use a powder (more on this tomorrow) over this to even out my skintone, but if I wasn't bothered about a full face of makeup I would use this on its own and feel comfortable.

Have you used the POREfessional? What did you think?

Bank Holiday

I love Bank Holidays. I especially like them when Ryan gets them off work so we get a three day weekend together. Anyway, this is what I wore today to drive to Xscape (yes, I passed my driving test), have a look round the shops and get a hotdog from Primo's.

Top: New Look, Leggings: Primark, Cardigan: Primark, Shoes: Missguided, Necklace: ASOS, Scarf: eBay

I've been struggling to think of ways to wear these leggings, but I do really like them with grey tones, so I may look for some long grey vests...

Again, I'm wearing my favourite shoes right now, seriously, I wish it was nice enough weather to wear these every day as there's something about having cat faces looking back at you which just makes you smile.

What makes you smile when the weather is grey? 

... And I'm back

I can't actually believe how long it's been since I posted - it feels like a couple of days, not a couple of months! An outfit from the weekend to start, then we'll talk.

Dress: Primark, Cardigan: River Island, Leggings: New Look, Shoes: Missguided, Necklace: New Look, Belt: ASOS

Life took over. I took a break from blogging because I was feeling uninspired and all my free time (or so it felt) was being taken up with driving lessons and driving practice ahead of my first test in February. I failed. So then it was all about my second test, which was on the 2nd April, and I failed that too. Now I've only got a couple of weeks until my third test and it hit me this weekend how much I miss writing my blog. With work as busy as it is, and my need for driving practice, my posts will not be regular, I just can't manage it. However, I'm here! So say hello!

So, the outfit. I bought this dress from Primark last week and I'm completely in love - I want it in every colour! It's just so simple and easy to dress for work and for weekends. On the same shopping trip I picked up this necklace from New Look on 'Buy one get one free' and the leggings to replace some holey pairs I've been wearing too often recently. I really love the leopard print and the grey together, but I'm also thinking it will look fab paired with pink and denim in summer. I hope they do make them in different colours, as it's a really great shape and fit too. Not much to say about the shoes, apart from that they rule. I love them more than any other pair of shoes I own. I'm slowly building my collection of cat-themed clothing, too.

So, what have you been up to while I've been gone?

Coyne-Operated Culture: Lady Gaga X Terry Richardson

 

I am a huge Lady Gaga fan so when Ryan surprised me with this book for my birthday I was over the moon. I had heard there was an official book being released but I wasn't 100% sure what it would be like, but this gorgeous collection of photography did not disappoint. It charts a year in Lady Gaga's life and gives an intimate insight into her life, from performing on stage to exercise to what she eats for dinner, this book has everything.

I know Terry Richardson is quite notorious (I don't know too much about him) but he is an amazing photographer and these images just feel stunning and expensive.

There are more than 400 photos in this book, so above is just a snippet of what it's like and you can buy it from Amazon here. 

Always in Style - Sarenza Competition

I remember when my mum bought me my first pair of Converse when I was a teenager, and that pair of black chuck taylor all stars made me feel like the coolest girl in school. At that time, converse were strongly associated with the "alternative" culture I was oh-so-desperate to be a part of, and they complimented my baggy jeans and Nickelback (not kidding) t-shirts perfectly.

I now sometimes wear a pair of pink high-top converse, which I love, but don't feel as 'me' as they once did, my style has evolved as I've gotten older and I'm no longer exclusively a jeans and t shirt girl converse just don't suit my new look. Or so I thought...

Chuck Taylor All Stars - £51

I've realised that when it comes to Converse, they are considered a fashion essential by a variety of different people, with different interests and different lives. My boyfriend can often be seen wearing his Ozzy Osbourne converse with jeans a tee, but two of my favourite bloggers Jen and Lucy also rock the look, making these trainers a fashion essential by using them to create modern and sophisticated looks.

So, when considering all my options when deciding how to enter the Sarenza Ambassador competition, I thought I'd go for something classic, simple, and overall a pair of shoes that will always be in style.

Do you like converse? Do you consider them a wardrobe staple or are they strictly for teens?

Details of the competition can be found here - wish me luck!