29 Oct 2013

in defence of my absence

Every blog I have ever started - and there have been a fair few attempts - has been abandoned at some point or other, either because I lost enthusiasm or I lost time. The latter has been trying to creep in here. But I refuse to give in! I will not let go of this one. I'm tying it to my wrist like a helium balloon to a child.

Believe it or not I've a whole page of a notebook scribbled over with ideas for blog posts. However the notebook is somewhere on my desk underneath a LOT OF OTHER THINGS, so I thought I'd blog anyway and just file this one under 'misc'.

This gorgeous eagle necklace was a find and a half from Collard Manson a couple weeks back. I went to the one at Meadowhall and then realised theres one in Sheffield too, wahheyy. A treasure trove of beauties, or as my mum would say 'clutter'. I care not, mother!

Talking of parents, I paid a visit to my parents house in ye olde hometown this past weekend. I've been living on my own in Sheff for exactly six weeks, and decided that was long enough to warrant a trip home! Theres something really lovely about travelling by train when its super dark outside even though it's only late afternoon. Home was filled with a hilarious trip to the local with a smattering of good friends, a roast dinner with my parents, plenty of frolicking with meine hund (pictured below) and a cheeeeeky hair dye session! (Sorry for the terrible iPhone photos, how lazy of me that I didn't even bother to photograph it properly) but LOOK NO ROOTS. Sweet. I have gone back to the dark side (gone full goth) in time for winter. Feel like myself again.



About seven weeks, a hell of a lot of deadlines and many shifts at work to go before the most wonderful time of the year. Bring it on.

xoxox

10 Oct 2013

How I Feel About Pigeons


Throwback Thursdays!



I was looking through some photos and found this beaut from outside the Duomo di Milano when myself and two friends went interrailing around Europe. We had a running joke that I hate pigeons, stemming from my uni town at the time being overrun with them, only to find the craziest flock in Italy. My expression sums it up!

Would give anything to go back, though, even with the pigeons.

8 Oct 2013

Absolutely relying on rather large Paloma Faith style quiffs at the moment. Partly for stylistic reasons, but mainly because its the only 'do that hides my currently horrendous roots!

6 Oct 2013

brb, doing my nails

Sometimes it's ok to be as girly as anything. This is one of those times. Current girly picks!
Top: Maybelline Colour Sensational Lipliner in 547, £3.99
In frustration at not being able to find a brick red (rather than bright pillar box) lipstick without breaking the bank I settled for this lipliner with the intention of just smudging it into the lips. And I'm impressed. Also secures and tones down my current brighter reds. Forget it's 90s connotations, it's making a comeback.
Below: No7 Fanomenal Lashes in Black, £12.95
On the recommendation of my bestie, who currently works on a No7 counter, I'm trying this mid-priced mascara. My useless lashes still need curling before application, but it has a nice brush and is perfect for a natural, buildable coverage.

Top: Vanilla Carmex, £3.25
A lifelong lip balm junkie, I've been a convert to the Carmex way of life for a couple of years. It just lasts longer on the lips and, for me at least, actually feels like it's doing something not just sitting there. This one's also SPF. All the flavours are delish, and this tube of vanilla I'm currently using is no exception.
Below: L'Occitane Hand Cream in Subtle Violet, £free sample with Marie Claire November, full size £19
Despite having heard wonderful things about L'Occitane, I always thought them too pricey for a poor student like me. However this sample I got with this months Marie Claire is making me want to throw caution to the wind. It's beautiful, thick, not greasy in the slightest, and smells just like my favourite sweets - Palma Violets! Will seriously consider parting with the cash for a full size tube when this miniature runs out.


Next NAIL in Gold Mine, £3
Not a shop I'd ususally think of for beatuy goodies but I was in Next buying work trousers and spotted this at the till. I told myself I'd buy it if it was two pounds or less. It was three, but I bought it anyway. Sucker for a sparkle! It says 'concrete effect' and although I'm not entirely sure what that means? It's quite hard and textured on the nails. Either way, it seems to last and it's a very pretty colour which will look just as nice when it gets cold and wintry!


Keen to break out of buying my habitual products and try new things. Any recommendations for me? xoxo

1 Oct 2013

Brightening Up Rented Accommodation

or

the art of making your flat cosy, even if you aren't allowed to put stuff on the walls

This is a post for students and beyond! It bugged me all through my student days, through Halls and houses and, to my great dismay, hasn't gone away with the flat rentals of adulthood. Unless you're very lucky, most flats and houses that you rent short term won't like you hammering nails into their walls or redecorating them.
Sure, in your first couple of years of student-hood you ignore their warnings and blu-tack whatever the hell you want on your room walls, and just take the damage fine like a man. But then you move somewhere a bit nicer, or where you actually like the landlord, or - weirdest of all - you mature a little, and suddenly your idea of making your flat look nice and cosy is less 'wonky posters and snapfish photos' to compliment stacks of beer cans and dominos boxes, and a bit more 'Zara Home'. 
Plain white walls are catnip to loneliness, homesickness, and boredom. That's not how your home should be! So for those of us not even blessed with a picture-rail to break up that abyss of magnolia (picture rails as required by law would be my first act as prime minister, along with free Krispy Kremes and Bonfire Night as a national holiday) here are a couple of tips.

TIP #1: Hang EVERTHING up with Command Clips

 These bitches are great for hanging up stuff (as long as it's nothing too heavy, be sensible people) without damaging the paint. At all. I don't really understand the science, but basically they're adhesive clips (or pegs or whatever there are lots of varieties) which you take off by pulling the little tab thing and don't sue me if I'm wrong but, in my experience, they leave no trace on the paintwork when they're gone. I've hung a lil bit of bunting, and also a string of photos I made.


TIP #2: Lean On Me

The grown up way to do posters is in a frame, and call it an art print. The beautiful Southsea one above was a 21st birthday present off my housemates when I lived down there was from a local gallery. On the same theme I am all about mirrors. They make everything look fancy. But of course you can't hang any of these things up on nails, so find a stable surface (or the floor) and lean it.
Felt pads from the DIY shop are a must for not leaving any tell-tale lines on the paint.


TIP #3: Soft Furnishings To Snuggle Up In

It's all about reducing echo, especially if you've got hard floors. Grab a rug (the fluffier the better), billions of cushions (the tackier the better), a scattering of photo frames and maybe a little greenery if you think you can keep it alive (the herbs below are courtesy of my mother. I think of it as a pre-puppy suitability test).


How do you decorate a flat or house that isn't always gonna be yours? More tips always welcome! xoxo