Ins and Outs

Haven't done one of these for a while so here goes....

INS
* The Hunger Games trilogy- literally couldn't put 1+2 down, love the complex heroine
* The current offerings from Primark and Topshop
* Laura Mercier Illuminating Tinted Moisturiser (again) - beautiful coverage and finish
* DIY - actually a bit obsessed atm
* MAC lipliner in Spice
* Braided hair ideas on Pinterest
* The weather
* Coffee
* The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo - woah aaaamazingly well written albeit boring at first
* Liz Earle skincare - a favourite every time I write these
* Finding new, very inspiring, creative blogs
* Collection 2000 Shimmer Shades - bought both palettes, loving them atm
* Yankee Candle in Willow Breeze
* Naked Palette - neglected it in favour of Sleek Storm but have recently re-ignited the love
* Backstreet Boys - no, this is not a joke
* Rimmel lipstick 'Just so'
* Origins 'Never a dull moment' face scrub
* Fresh orange juice - been drinking it every day, so yum
* Green Tea with Spearmint - tried it for the first time a few weeks ago and loving it!
* iPhone camera
* Cocktails with the girls

OUTS
* Being broke when there are so many things I want need to buy
* Lacking motivation to f*cking finish Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred once and for all
* Dry skin, my eczema has flared up ridiculously this past month
* The fact that no matter what I do, my eyebrows will never look symmetrical/normal/groomed/human/nice


What are your ins and outs of the moment?

Love, Emma xo
Currently Listening To: Takin' Back My Love - Enrique Iglesias ft. Ciara

Coppers and Bronze

The weather in London these last few days has been so beautiful and sunny, it's left me waiting rather impatiently for Summer (which is an absolute first for me as I'm way more of an Autumn/Winter girl) and hoping so bad that we all don't jinx it and get poured on in a few days.

I change my make-up up according to the season and when it's sunny I feel compelled to slap on the bronzer. Because I'm original like that. While I usually favour a gold colour on my eyelids, I thought today that I'd be a little more adventurous and play around with more coppery brown tones, and was surprisingly pleased with the result! So here's my copper bronze look that I'd actually wear during the day as well as at night.

SKIN: I'm not one to wear a heavy, full coverage foundation during the day at any time of the year, and especially when it's hot outside I enjoy wearing a light foundation (long time favourite is Chanel Vitalumiere) or a tinted moisturiser. For the last couple of months or so I have really, reeeally been enjoying the Laura Mercier Illuminating Tinted Moisturiser (review to come soon). It offers light but enough coverage and that dewy effect which I strive hard to achieve with my dry, dull skin. I used the tiniest amount of tinted moisturiser here and focused it mainly on my cheeks and chin. 

I'm one of those people who uses a highlighter every, single, time I wear make-up - I couldn't live without it. I favour liquid highlighters and my favourites are all from Benefit. Here I mixed Benefit's Moon Beam with the tinted moisturiser.

Click Photo
EYES: Sleek Storm Palette Copper shade bottom left of the bottom row; MAC eyeliner Engraved; Covergirl LashBlast mascara

EYES: I usually go for golds and browns and black on my eyes and don't really experiment too much.  I decided for this look however, to use the coppery toned brown in the Sleek Storm Palette (couldn't live without this) to make the whole look more bronzy. Packed all over the lid and blended with some black and gold, I kinda achieved the smudgy, bronzey, sexy, roughed up make-up look I was after. Naturally, precision wasn't key to this look. A little bit of black eyeliner smudged around on the top lash line and underneath, lashings of mascara and it was all done!  

Click Photo
FACE: Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturiser in Warm Radiance; Collection 2000 lasting perfection concealer; Benefit Moon Beam
CHEEKS: Collection 2000 Shimmer Shades

CHEEKS: Absolutely LOVING the Collection 2000 Shimmer Shades that I bought on an absolute whim. The shimmer is subtle, the colours are very pigmented and both the colour palettes are very flattering. I just swirled my brush and mixed the colours up and then dusted the pink shades over my cheeks. The bronzy one I applied with my Sigma 187 (I bought it 3 years ago so don't know what the new name is) and applied it all over my face for a very pretty glowy sunkissed look. I haven't reached for my Nars blushes/bronzers for 2 weeks now and that's saying something! These are definitely worth checking out!

LIPS: I went for a subtle browny, goldy nude and used MAC Spice lipliner all over the lid and then Victoria's Secret lipstick in the shade Guilt Free, followed by No7 Liplicious Moisturising Balm gloss in Caramel!

Click Photo
TOP: H&M (current season)

What do you guys think? What kinda looks do you wear over summer? What are your favourite bronzers of the moment? I'm loving the Shimmer Shades and as always, Nars' Laguna! 

Love, Emma xo

Currently Listening to: Earthquake - Labyrinth ft. Tinie Tempah 

Go NUDE or go home

I do love me a classic nude nail colour, it's a bit of a no-nonsense, no-brainer. A nice nude nail colour is every-season-friendly and can be easily slapped on to make you look instantly more groomed and polished. For that extra bit of fun, I sparkled up the nail on my left finger. Simple things for simple minds.

Click Photo
NUDE: Leotard Optional
Gold Glitter: Only Gold For Me

What are you wearing on your nails right now? Do you do the left ring finger sparkle or do you think it's a bit lame lol!?

Love, Emma xo
Currently Listening To: Promise Me - Cory Williams

DIY: Colour Block Heels

So my loverrrrly friend Fariha who knows that I'm going through a bit of a DIY phase, sent me the link to a blog the other day that is dedicated to DIY fashion. It's safe to say I spent about 10hours happily reading through it this last weekend, bookmarking and favouriting specific posts. The girl is incredible, -HERE- is a link to her DIY project page on her blog, you must check it out!

I dug out a pair of unloved, bit blah, pointed nude heels I bought from ASOS for graduation last year. I'll let the pictures do the rest of the talking!

(Please click on the photos to see them bigger and clearer)

Click Photo

Click Photo

(1) Tape off a cap toe at the front of the heels for however much area you want the new colour to be on.

      Make sure the tape has been pressed hard at the edge so the line is neat and sharp.

(2) With your paintbrush, paint on a layer. The bigger the brush the better as you get less streaks this way.

      Wait for about an hour and let the paint dry properly.  

(3) Using a sponge (I used a make-up one), add a few more layers of paint until you get the desired darkness.       

     The sponge will blend everything in evenly. (If you don't have a sponge, a large paintbrush will be fine). 

After finishing your last layer, and while the paint hasn't totally dried yet, gently peel off the tape for a sharp line. Use the paintbrush to tidy the edges near the sole. 

Leave to dry....and voila:

Click Photo

I am so excited about these, I feel like I've bought new shoes! What do you think? Got any fun DIY projects you've done recently? Send them to me if you have, I'm really going through a phase!! And make sure you check out Geneva's DIY fashion blog where I got the inspiration from! 

Love, Emma xo

Currently Listening To: Tonight - Jason Derulo 

3 Pretty Hairstyles for Spring

Scouring through Pinterest for hair style ideas has become a bit of a hobby recently. Inspired by all the pretty braided styles that are soft and romantic for Spring, I decided to experiment a little.

I did french plaits but if it's easier you could always just do a normal plait. I also think that these ideas could be roughed up a little, made a bit more messy to edge them up slightly and stop the danger of looking too prom-y and 'done'. Here's what I came up with:

(Please click on the photos to see them bigger and clearer)

1- click picture

2- click picture

3  click picture

I think they make for prettier versions of everyday hairstyles. With more time, I would perhaps loosely tong the ends for a more wavy, romantic feel for Pictures 1) and 3). For Picture 2) I think a higher bun which is a lot messier would look very effortless but still 'done' enough. With the season properly here now, I feel like we can get away with girlier styles that are a little roughed up! 

What do you think of these three hairstyles? What are your everyday hair do's? Can you bothered to do a plait or is it too much hassle? Also if you have Pinterest and have found any gorgeous hair ideas do link them to me in the comments - I loveeee looking at them!! 

Love, Emma xo

Currently Listening To: Paradise - Coldplay

DIY: 50 Second, £0, Homemade Lip Scrub

So with all the pretty pink and coral lipsticks being dug out from the corners of make-up drawers now that Spring is officially here, not having soft, smooth, healthy lips is practically illegal. Not to mention highly unattractive.

I've tried and tested the Lush lip scrub and found it to be nice but I don't feel the need to re-spend 5quid on it. So I've been making my own for a quite a while now (and have forced it, quite literally, onto a couple of my friends - once they saw/felt the results they didn't mind me attacking them).

This takes, literally 50seconds to make and apply and everything can be found in your kitchen. The best thing is how amazingly it works, try it trust  me!
(Please click on the photos to see them bigger and clearer)


WHAT YOU NEED:

Sugar: Sugar will act as the exfoliant for your skin, rubbing off the dead, chapped skin. I prefer using brown sugar as the granules are bigger so the exfoliating is more thorough. 

Olive Oil: This serves as the moisturiser that absorbs into your lips and makes them extremely soft and smooth. I suppose you could try using honey aswell although I have never done this myself.

HOW TO MAKE IT:

Click picture 

1. Add one teaspoon sugar into a bowl;  2. Add olive oil to the sugar but make sure there is more sugar than oil;  3. Mix it all together and slather it onto lips. Rub gently for a few seconds making sure the sugar particles scrub the dead skin off the lips, then leave for 10mins and wash off.

CUTE LITTLE (MOTHER'S DAY) GIFT:

Click the picture

With Mother's Day just around the corner, I think this makes for a very cute little present you could add onto your existing one. Use food colouring to change the colour of it but I suggest using White Sugar if you plan to colour your scrub as the colour will show up much better (I used brown in the above photo so it doesn't look as great). Store in the fridge or a cool dry place. 

I really hope you try this and let me know how it works for you if you do!! It's so quick and easy, no hassle and no money being spent! Yay bring on Spring and hot pink lipsticks! What lip scrubs or treatments do you use? What do you think of the Lush one?

Love, Emma xo

Currently Listening To: O Re Piya - Aaja Nachle

Decor Tip: Light Me Up

I love candles. Fact. Understatement of the century even. My fascination and obsession with them is well known to my friends and family, so much so that on Christmas or or when people come over for dinner, they don't bring the standard box of chocolates and a little something else - I almost always get a candle. A pretty but lonely stand-alone candle

I don't own candle stick holders that would accommodate the various sizes of the gifted candles. So after accumulating a small collection of candles that were looking rather sorry for themselves (and gathering dust) in the cupboard, I decided the other night, to take out 3 of them who have a) colours that are complimentary to one another and b) pastels that make them look Spring-time appropriate, and grouped them together to burn at the same time. Loverly. 

So if like me, you own a lot of individual stick candles that you just don't have a home for in any of your rooms, group them together and burn them at the same time - I think it makes for a simple but very pretty centrepiece. For example, a group of cream and crisp white candles placed next to a beautiful flower vase would look gorgeous on the table if you're having a little get together at yours in the summer/in the garden.  

One of my favourite bloggers, Emily from the famous Cupcakes and Cashmere, did a post where she grouped a lot more candles together to make for a more interesting fireplace and this is where I got the idea to burn candles together. Check out her fireplace -here-. 

If you missed my post on my Winter Yankee Candle favourites click -here- to read it on the lovely Ruby's blog! 

What do you do with individual candles that you can't place into a candlestick holder? Any other candle burning tips? 

Love, Emma xo

Currently Listening To: Right There: Take Care - Drake ft Rihanna 

Sometimes, things really are just black and white

I don't claim to have a great, unique, quirky, 'trendy' fashion sense. I'm very much a comfort seeking creature so my 'signature' look so to speak, is an oversized hoody/jumper and a pair of leggings. Simples.
For evening occasions I usually still wear the leggings, leather-look if I'm feeling particularly adventurous, and throw on a 'dressier' top, loose fitting always.

While I'm no stranger to wearing a little burst of colour here and there, black and white is always comforting and never looks 'unfashionable'. Slap on some red lipstick and it's instantly more 'polished'.

(Please click on the photos to see them bigger and clearer. Also please note I use my phone to take pictures so the quality isn't always amazing). 

Cover-up - Primark (Current Season);  Leggings - Forever21;  Bag - Primark (Current Season);  Shoes - H&M

Cover-up - Primark (current season);  Wedges - H&M

I picked up this absolute bargain of a cover-up/cardigan from Primark just earlier this week, LOVE it! I think it's such a versatile piece that looks delicate but can definitely be edged up. Throw over a vest top, a plain black dress, anything really, it's so pretty and classy. And the quality is really not bad at all considering it's Primark! 

These wedges are my favourite shoes for when I want to look a bit more groomed but don't want the hassle and pain of heels, so comfy, edgy, and versatile. Bargain. 

White Gold Bracelet - my Dad;  Bag - Primark (Current Season);  Sephora by O.P.I - 'And a Cherry On Top'

I decided to accessorise very simply with only one piece of jewellery, a sturdy structured bag and red polish. Very simple and no fuss but they rounded off the outfit nicely. 

Also picked up the bag from Primark this week, it's a River Island knock-off but you can't tell it's from Primark, love it. 

Click Picture
FACE: Laura Mercier Illuminating Tinted Moisturiser (Warm Radiance); Bobbi Brown under-eye corrector; Collection 2000 concealer (Shade 2); Benefit Moon Beam; Nars Blush in Taos; Benefit Hoola bronzer
EYES: Urban Decay Half-Baked on lid; Urban Decay Smog in crease; Maybelline Gel Eye-Liner; Maybelline in Colossal, MAC powerpoint in Engraved
LIPS: Mac lipliner in Spice; Nars Jungle Red lipstick 

Accenting a monochrome outfit with red is a bit of a cliché, but I clearly, have absolutely no problem with that. I think a red lip and red nails compliment a black and white outfit perfectly and make it look so much more polished and Chanel-esque. The colour of the lips looks a bit more orange/pink toned than it really is but to see a proper review of the lipstick click here. 

What are your comfort colour palettes for outfits? Red lips with monochrome - overdone or understated?  Have you bought anything recently that you're really excited about?  

Love, Emma xo

Currently Listening To: Dirty Talk - Wynter Gordon 

7 ways to CORAL up your life

Coral. That word that gets thrown about when trying to describe something that's not quite orange, nor pink or peach. It's that something in between. I think it's a gorgeous colour, complimentary to all skin tones, that when done right can give you that double-take factor.

I wouldn't say I'm much of a colour person, blacks and greys are my comforts but I can do colour in simple ways - like coloured jumpers, nail polishes and obviously, different coloured lipsticks. 

Colour shy? Here are 7 simple things you could do to add that 'pop' of colour to your day and outfit. Yes there are the obvious things like coral coloured shoes and bags, but if you're like me and think that's stretching it a bit far (I wouldn't mind me a coral clutch though!), then have a look at these very underwhelming but effective little tweaks you can make! 

I would not recommend doing all 7 things at once, unless ofcourse looking like an orange is your thing. The idea kinda is to introduce your outfit to a colour bit by bit.

(Please click on the photos to see them larger and clearer. Also please note I take my photos on my phone so the quality isn't always amazing)

Blazer - Zara (Summer 2011);  Blouse - H&M (Summer 2011)

The Big 'Pop' of Colour: I love wearing this coral blazer when I'm wearing an otherwise monochrome or boring outfits. If I can't be bothered to make an effort, I'll throw on a pair of leggings, any plain blouse/tshirt and this blazer and it makes me look so much more put together. It's screams fun and loud and a little bit daring, but it's also smart and simple enough to not be too in your face.

Mac Tinted Lip Conditioner in Gentle Coral 

Not Quite Ready to Jump onto the Orange Lipstick Bandwagon? Fear not, you don't have to! I think some people can really pull of bright orange lipstick but sadly I'm not one of those people. This is the next best thing - a coral coloured lip conditioner! I absolutely love this one, it is so moisturising and surprisingly long lasting. The best thing though, is that it is very buildable. It's not as scary as it looks in the pot!! It's sheer and you can add as many layers as you want to get whatever colour build-up you like! 

Nars Cream Blush in Cactus Flower

Coralful Cheeks: I promise you this cream blush isn't as intimidating as it looks in the pan! It's done it rounds on Youtube and the Blogosphere and has a quite a bit of hype surrounding it, and definitely for a reason. I've owned this for about two years now and always bring it out around spring/summer time to add a really healthy natural glow to my face. Applies silky smooth and best done with a stippling brush to sheer it out. 

Miss Selfridges a couple of years ago 

Maybe a Miniscule Pop of Coral? If the above is still too much for you, then why not find a piece of jewellery that has a bit of coral in it? This ring paired with a plain white dress and some delicate braceletss looks so pretty and you can still tick the colour-trend box!

MAC Flurry of Fun (LE); No7 Liplicious Moisturising Balm in Sweet Peaches 

Lipgloss Lover? If you're not a fan of tinted lip conditioners, or if you can't leave the house without slapping a bit of gloss over your lips/lipstick then coral lipgloss is the one! The MAC one was bought in their beach collection a while ago and has gorgeous blue and green sparkles in it that make your teeth look whiter! I like to use it over a pinky lipstick and I always get compliments when I use it! The No7 one was a recent gift that I am loving! It is a moisturising lip balm gloss that is not sticky or gloopy at all, but very pigmented and shimmery and looks beautiful by itself or over a lipstick! 

Sephora by O.P.I - Special Request

Coral on Your Nails: Okay so this one is less intimidating. I've seen coral/orangey/peachy nail polish everywhere and this one is one of my favourites! It looks a little more red/pink here but in real life is more true to coral. Such a simple, small thing you can do and it will really wake and brighten your outfit up! 

Victoria's Secret Refreshing Body Mist in Delicate Petals

Smell Coral?!! Okay so technically you can't smell coral-y but the colour of this bottle kinda fits in. And it has notes of tangerine in it, that's kinda coral/orangey right? Whatever, its one of my favourite scents of the moment! I adore Victoria's Secret Body Mists, they are so deliciously refreshing and if coral had a scent this would be it! 

Coral you can buy right now!

LINKS:
1 - Topshop Nail Polish; 2 -  Topshop Maxi Dress
3 - Boohoo Trousers; 4 - Chloe Scarf
5 - Isharya Ring

Go get your coral on ladies!! 

Do you like the colour Coral or do you just not care? What are your favourite Coral-y things of the moment? Any other colours you can't get enough of? 

Love, Emma xo

Currently Listening To: Fight For This Love - Cheryl Cole