The One With My Nail Revolution

 



Ciate Paint Pots

 

One of my beauty bug bears is nail varnish, yes nail varnish. That seemingly harmless bottle of colourful liquid is my mortal beauty enemy.

I'm not opposed to nail varnish in itself, far from it. I enjoy selecting the colour which most reflects my mood that day, I enjoy the process and ritual of applying the nail varnish from base coat to top layer. I enjoy having joyful, colourful nails which can brighten up my mood, I'd even go so far as to say that having painted nails makes me feel sexy in a way which make-up or clothes can't. Nail varnish is also a great alternative way to add a pop of colour to an outfit. With the recent explosion of nail art, nails have never looked so good.

So, I hear you say what is it that offends me so, which makes me wish, at times, that nail varnish had never been invented. Its this - the way that you can leave your nails to dry for an eternity and they still smudge, the way they chip moments after that final stroke has been applied,the way that however careful you are you can never achieve that smooth finish on all ten nails. Maybe its just me, maybe I am incapable of simply applying nail varnish, maybe I'm missing the gene that all other girls have which allow them to achieve flawless looking nails themselves at home. I have suffered from nail varnish woes for twenty four years, I am fed up of the endless cycle of disappointment when I look down at my nails. I don't have the time, or money to keep visiting salons to get manicures and quite frankly I don't have the inclination. Is it too much to ask that I cant achieve a salon finish in the comfort of my own home? Ive tried many a nail varnish, many a product which all hold magical claims - fast drying, chip resistant, lasts so many days but alas to no avail. Ive thought many a times, I'm cursed.

So, this seems all doom and gloom right?Wrong - Ive finally found a miracle in nail varnish form. What, I hear you exclaim is this wonder varnish, its Ciate. Yes, Ciate (appropriately the company is nicknamed the 'nail innovators of our time.')

I'd been oblivious to Ciate until I bought a magazine which came with a free bottle of Ciate. To be quite honest with you I wasn't holding out much hope for it, but tried it for the hell of it and I'm glad I did, its revolutionised my nail varnish regime. This by far is the best nail varnish Ive ever tried, its easy to apply, gives a smooth finish, comes in a range of beautiful colours and lasts far longer than other nails (I'm reluctant to say chip resistant, even though it pretty much is) Its my go to nail varnish and even though I do try other brands I always find myself coming back to Ciate. I currently own only own one bottle of Ciate, I would love to own more but at £9 a bottle I simply can't justify spending that much money on lots of nail varnish. Although I do deem the price to be a bit on the more expensive side I would fully recommend it, I do believe the quality of the finish justifies the higher price tag and that you won't want to go back to another brand.

The One With Patterned Tights

For so long now I've stuck to boring, plain, black tights. I've been too afraid to mix it up, to indulge in patterns and colours for fear of looking stupid or of standing out too much in a crowd. I've always been anxious about wearing colours, I've always shied away things from which I think of as nice purely on the basis that their a shade or two brighter than my comfort zone.

I've decided to break this pattern, and my first step in breaking this barrier is through the medium of tights. Although I love thick, wollen, black tights I have decided that patterned tights are the way forward and can be used to jazz up an outfit instead of accessories and introduce colour to outfits.

Seeing as I'm so afraid of colour or change I decided to play it safe at first and settled on a tan pair of heart patterned tights. Whilst tan is hardly bright or colourful it's different to what I would normally chose. I love that they're so in contrast to what id normally go for. I have an eye for cute things and the heart pattern really appeals to the soft, girly side of me. I really adore the pattern it's cute and adds a great touch to an outfit.

I picked my pair up in Marks and Spencer, they have a fantastic tights range from practical black to bold and beautiful patterns. Marks and Spencer is on my go-to list for hosiery and lingerie. The underwear is so beautiful and stunning, especially their collaboration with Rosie Huntington-Whiteley. They were a lot of tights I lusted after and are now firmly on my most wanted list.

I am so glad I chose these tights, they make me feel girly and positive and it's one step closer to not being afraid of wearing different things.

It may seem silly but these tights are helping me to change after years of anxiety and body dsymorphia. Its all about trying to conquer my fears one small step at a time and patterned, tan tights are just the beginning.

The One With The Quotes

Today on twitter Black Dog Tribe,an online community set up by Ruby Wax for those affected by mental illness, wanted to find out what peoples favourite inspirational quotes or sayings were.

My favourite quote, and one which has helped me a lot during the last six months is this:

"nothing ever goes away until it teaches us what we need to know."

I believe that things that happen for a reason, that they happen to teach us things and that from each negative event there are positives to be taken. I've learnt that from the heartbreak and despair of mental illness there are positives to be gained, that you can learn new things and that good things can come even from the blackest of times. Instead of looking at the negative I've learnt to look for the positives even if at the time there might not seem like any.

I do think that quotes and sayings can help. I have a collection of quotes and sayings which I read and refer back to. For me its a coping mechanism and at times when I'm anxious, down, struggling to cope I can read them and they help give me a glimmer of hope and a positive perspective. It might not be everyones cup of tea but they do help me and help me to break through my negative, anxiety ridden thoughts.

What are your favourite quotes/sayings?

The One With The Sunday Stroll

There's nothing like a Sunday stroll to work up an appetite for a Sunday roast so that's exactly what I did yesterday. I've been lucky enough to have the weekend off and theres nothing like a good walk to clear your head and escape the stresses of every day life. I'm lucky enough to live in Devon which has some amazing countryside and scenery, I never really appreciated the countryside until  I left for five years and then came back. There's something magical about nature and the countryside, Im so glad I get to witness it everyday.

moss

flower

abandoned birds nest

essential footwear

snowdrops

lone tree

branches



red berries


 

How did you spend your Sunday?

The One With Simple

If you suffer from dermatitis or eczema or any other skin condition you'll know just how painful and frustrating it can be.

I've been suffering from dermatitis now for a couple of years, I always had skin which was prone to dry conditions but out of the blue my condition flared up and I have been left with skin which is sensitive, fragile and dry.

The worst affected area for me are my hands. They are constantly dry, cracked, painful and itchy. I always have broken areas of skin which itch and bleed and are generally really sore. It being the winter doesn't help as the cold makes my skin crack even more. I also work for the NHS and the constant hand-washing leaves my skin so sore and red. The worst thing is using the alcohol gel, it stings and is so painful if it comes into contact with scratches or cuts or broken areas. Working in a hospital also means wearing gloves which make my hands sweaty which in turn makes them itch more and leaves my hands covered in rashes. I tried using latex free gloves but I still had some trouble.

I'm forever getting told off my parents for scratching my skin but it's the only brief relief I can get. I've tried a number of creams and lotions but they don't seem to work or they irritate my skin further.

The other day though my mum gave me a bottle of Simple Derma Intensive Relief cream to try.
Simple Derma is designed specifically for very dry and sensitive skin, especially skin which is prone to eczema and dermatitis. Made with natural plant oils and no perfume or colour, it aims to soothe the skin and lock in moisture. Locking in moisture not only hydrates skin, it allows the skin to restore it's natural moisture levels so that it can protect skin and prevent any further moisture loss occurring. By protecting the skin by locking moisture in Simple Derma is able to keep harmful allergens and irritants out and therefore it is able to maintain and restore your skins health.

Using natural plant oils is a healthy and irritant free way to protect and soothe the skin. Simple Derma uses Natural Aquaxyl which is used to moisturise and restore the skin and Canola Oil which is used to replenish and protect.

The cream is easy to apply and absorbs quickly into the skin without leaving any greasy or sticky residue. It leaves the skin feeling soft and soothes any itching almost instantaneously, which is a huge plus point. I have definitely noticed the benefits and the difference it has made to my skin after only a couple of applications and i shall definitely make sure I take some to work with me so that i can regularly apply some throughout my shift.

For maximum results apply the cream liberally and regularly, up to four times a day. This cream cannot only be used on the hands, it can also be used on the body and is gentle enough for the face.

I shall definitely continue to use this cream, and Simples philosophy of only using natural ingredients and not perfumes or colorants or harsh chemicals appeals to me. Its important to know my skin is being cared for and retailing at £3.79 it's an inexpensive way to protect and buries your skin without breaking the bank.

Do you use Simple products?

The One With The New Look Buys

Today was one of those days when I only meant to pop into town to get some money out the bank and buy some mouthwash but ended up spending a fortune - I blame boots for their 3 for 2 offer on Soap and Glory and New Look for their gorgeous range.

Had what was meant to be a quick look in New Look and ended up spending ages in there. I didn't really have anything in particular to get, I'm actually meant to selling half my clothes on eBay and am trying to curb my spending and save!

New look has always been in my top three shops, I've shopped there ever since I can remember and about 95% of my shoe collection comes from there. Whenever I have a new outfit to buy I always look in New Look to see what I can find.

I find their clothes to be good quality and reasonably priced and I love the collections they stock there too alongside their own range. I know I can always trust and rely on New Look to make me look and feel good as well as saving my bank balance.

Today I picked up some new skinny burgundy jeans as I was so impressed with my current pair of skinny jeans from here. Normally I shy away from coloured denim, I tend to always go for black or dark denim but I decided to push the boat out and try something new. The colour is gorgeous and can be worn casual or dressed up and goes with just about anything. The jeans are actually incredibly comfortable too and so easy to wear, they're also a bargain too at £19.99.

I also bought a 'lucky' slogan tee. Im in to slogan tees at the moment so had to buy this and at £7.99 you can't go wrong.

I'm pretty happy with purchases even though they were spur of the moment, I just can't wait to wear them properly.

The One With The New Profile Picture

So, I've finally got around to changing my profile picture. Its something I'd been meaning to do for ages but never found the time to do so.

This is me, in all my average sized glory (im NOT short, im average sized!).Im 24, a Devonian who took a hiatus to Bristol for five years but is now back in the countryside. I work for the NHS as a nursing assistant and have dreams of setting up my own business. I love crisps and hate oranges. I am scared of everything. I take afternoon naps and eat cake with a fork. I enjoy rubbish jokes and reality tv.




If you have any questions, feel free to ask.

The One With The Topshop Wishlist

I've always had an attraction to Topshop; I like the energy, the style, the flare of the clothes, the way it gets current trends bang on. I adore the edgy look to the clothes, the rock n rollness of it all. They also have perfect collaborations too.

For me Topshop stands out from all the other clothes shops on the high street, it has something about it which captivates me and captures my fashion imagination.

Saying this I've always admired Topshop from afar, I've always been worried that I'm not 'cool' enough to wear the clothes or that I'm not skinny enough. These fears have paralysed me and I've missed out wearing some fabulous items of clothing all because of my insecurities.

This though is going to change, I've got a new positive attitude towards life and particularly style. To me, your clothes should reflect you and what your personal style and preferences are. You should wear what you like and what you feel comfortable in. As for size, you should embrace what you have. Topshop wasn't holding me back it was my attitude, I now have a better understanding of what styles suit my shape and what looks good on me.

So now I won't be afraid to shop in Topshop, I won't feel like I shouldn't be there. I've spent some time perusing the Topshop website and have come up with a wishlist, a collection of my favourite clothing items.

My Topshop February wishlist includes:
*cat face skater dress, £28
*long sleeve heart flippy dress, £40
*casual dip-dye floral shirt, £28
*pussybow blouse, £36
*MOTO premium leather sleeve denim biker jacket, £125
*MOTO black skinny Leigh jeans, £38
*clean leather tote, £75
*nails in velvet underground , £5


What's on your February wishlist?

The One With Twenty Things About Me

Saw this idea on another blog and decided to give it go so you can all get to know me a bit better:

1-At the age of twenty four I'm yet to own a passport. Most people are astonished that I've never owned a passport before but that's all about to change, 2013 is all about getting a passport and exploring life outside of the UK. There are so many countries that I want to visit and places I want to see and the there's never been a better time to do it.

2-I have four tattoos and have more planned. If I were braver I'd be a tattooed chick like KVD but I'm a bit of a wimp and I'm pretty sure my parents would kill me. I got my first tattoo just after my 18th birthday. I know some people don't like/appreciate tattoos but I think it's an individuals choice and that you shouldn't judge. All of mine are small and discreet and aren't offence/in your face. Each tattoo is a reminder of a specific time or place in my life. Currently I have tattoos on my wrist, hip, foot and chest.

3-I work for the NHS and I love it. I've been an employee of the NHS for three and a half years and love it. It's such a great organisation to work for and such a worthwhile job, I don't think any other job is as satisfactory.

4-I have never broken any bones. This is probably tempting fate but I've managed to go twenty four years without breaking any bones which is pretty good going in my eyes.

5-I studied Theology and Religious Studies at university. It's not a course most people are familiar with and doesn't have many career prospects linked with it but I was able to indulge in Budshism and Hinduism for three years which I loved.

6-I prefer American sitcoms/series over British comedy. My favorite programs are Fraiser, Friends, SATC, New Girl, Big Bang Theory.

7-I am scared of practically everything including birds, spiders, heights, roller coasters, tinsel, balloons, eyes, lightening, my own blood

8-I can't drink Vodka as it makes me sick, this is particularly distressing as I'm a big cocktail fan and it limits the kind of drinks I can have.

9-I want to take photography more seriously and get my photos published. I've always been interested in photography but lately I'm wanted to take it more seriously and take it one step further. At the moment I'm still at the learning/messing around stage but I hope to become a fully fledged photographer one day.

10-I have two guinea pigs called Ella and Florence. They were a belated valentines day present from my ex boyfriend and now they live with me. They are the cutest/stupidest creatures but I love them.

11- I was born and raised in the Southwest and am a devonshire girl at heart. I adore the countryside and countryside walks and find it relaxing being surrounded by fields and wildlife. I would miss the greenery and scenery if I lived in the city.

12-Bristol is my second home. I lived there for over five years whilst I was at uni and then after uni. I'm currently back in Devon but plan to move back soon as I miss it so much. It's such a beautiful, happy, inspiring city.

13-I'm a vegetarian and have been for a couple of years. I never really liked meat and always felt a bit guilty for killing animals for food so it was a natural step. Eventually I'd like to be vegan but I've just moved back in with my parents and they barely understand vegetarianism!

14-I am a chronic daydreamer. I think I spend more time daydreaming than in reality.

15-I can't walk in high heels. When it boils down to it I'm a rubbish girl, I own loads of high heels but can't walk in any of them. One day id like to be able to wear a pair of heels and be able to walk in them properly without falling over/breaking my ankle.

16-My most wanted items list contains a Chanel handbag, Mulberry handbag, Rolex watch and Louboutins. Maybe one day I'll be able to afford one or all of these.

17-I'm an old head on young shoulders. I'm currently saving for a mortgage so I can be a homeowner. I want my own home, my own independence, to be stable.

18-My heroes included David Attenborough.

19-I have an eclectic music taste. There are things I like that people would never have guessed at. I love 50/60s music and am so jealous for my Mum growing up in that era.

20-I have dyed my hair so many times over the last few years I have no idea what my natural hair colour is. I've been from black, to red, to chocolate brown. I'm always changing my hair colour on a whim, it's like adding another dimension to your personality.

Hope you enjoy getting to know me a bit better and sorry if they were a bit boring.

The One With Soap And Glory

One of my resolutions for 2013 is to find a skincare regime that works for me and to maintain it.

I'm quite lazy when it comes to skincare, I'll maintain a regime for a while but then I'll get bored/too lazy and it all goes downhill from there.
This year I vow to pay proper attention to my skin and look after it. As I'm getting older I'm realising just how important it is to look after your skin and care for it, it's something I'd taken for granted before.

I've also had quite problematic skin from when I first hit my teenage years, what with spots and combination skin. I want healthy and fresh looking skin and to feel proud of my skin. I don't want to have to worry about blemishes or breakouts, I want to conquer my skin problems once and for all.

So as well as eating healthily and drinking lots of water I'm on a quest to find the best skincare products available. I have a bit of a love-hate relationship when it comes to face washes and creams and lotions. I've tried a lot of the product this field has to offer with varying results but I've yet to find 'the' product, one which I'll stick to and be faithful to. I've mostly flitted about because I've failed to find anything which works for my skin or doesn't dry it out but this is all going to change.

I've read and heard a lot about Soap and Glory, good things I'll add, so I've decided to jump on the bandwagon and give some of their products a go and see if they're as good as everyone says.

I've decided to try two products, 'The Fab Pore Hot Cloth Cleanser' and ' Peaches and Clean.' I chose these as I find one of my problem areas is my pores and I want to eradicate this problem and I want a general face wash to keep my skin looking fresh and clean.

I've decided that I'll review the products a month after using them to see if they're working and to see if I can notice a difference and to just give general feedback on the products. So, here's to fresh, clean skin!



Do you use Soap and Glory?

The One With The Winter Essentials

Over the years, battling with dry skin I've learnt that when winter rolls around prevention and preparedness are the key. A couple of years ago I discovered Nivea and have never looked back. It forms my defence against dry skin.

I find Nivea products simple and easy to use.Unlike many products on the market their creams aren't greasy and are easily absorbed leaving skin soft and smooth instead of sticky and greasy. The range is affordable too which makes an already good product greater, it means you can protect your skin cheaply. Nivea products also come in a range of sizes. The mini/travel size products make great handbag essentials, meaning you can protect your skin 24/7wherever you may be and they won't clutter up your handbag.

Here's a quick guide to my Nivea winter essentials -

*Nivea Irrestibly Smooth Body Lotion: This body lotion is perfect in the fight against dry skin. Applied after a bath/shower it moisturises, smooths and softens the skin. Its also ideal to be applied throughout the day to 'top-up' protection. Infused with Shea Butter the aim of this body lotion is simply to hydrate the skin over a 24 hour period. Once applied you are guaranteed smooth, soft skin for 24 hours,meaning you can get on with your day knowing that you skin will be soft and protected.

Unlike some body lotions which I have used this is easy to apply and absorbs into the skin quickly and easily without leaving a greasy feeling. Its also mildly scented so you don't experience and overwhelming smell which can often be the case. It leaves the skin soft and smooth and you can really notice the difference in the texture of your skin.

*Nivea Smooth Nourishing Hand Cream.Aimed at hydrating dry hands for a 24 hour period this cream made with Macadamia Nut Oil is designed to keep dry hands smooth and soft throughout the day whatever the elements. With its special Hydra IQ formula it supports your skins own moisture supply as well as strengthening your skins protection barrier.

Like the body lotion mentioned above, this cream is easily absorbed into the skin and leaves hands feeling hydrated and cared for. Your skin will feel noticeably softer and smoother whilst not feeling greasy.

This is the product which appeals to be most as suffer from incredibly dry skin on my hands which in the winter months worsens as the weather becomes colder. I use this to prevent my skin from getting worse and to hydrate my skin before it becomes cracked and painful.

*Nivea Soft Moisturising Cream For Face/Body/Hands: An all in one handy container suitable for handbags and people on the go. This cream is target to hydrate and protect those areas of skin most vulnerable to the elements. Can easily be applied on the go to offer 24/7 protection at a moments notice. Everyone should definitely have this in the handbag/about their person.

*Creme Soft Shower Cream: Made with Almond Oil this mild scented shower cream is designed to hydrate and moisturise leaving your skin ready to face the day and the elements. This shower cream works well in conjunction with the body lotion but can also be used on its own. It leaves the skin soft and smooth and unlike other shower creams or soaps it doesn't dry out the skin. This is a particularly good product for anyone who suffers from sensitive or problematic skin. This is another simple, easy way to protect and maintain your skin.

*Nivea Essential Care Chapstick/Nivea Pearl Shine Chapstick: Winter means bad news lips, they become chapped and broken and sore and not very pretty. Chapped lips can be painful which is why as soon as the weather starts to become colder I apply a smooth and nourishing chapstick in order to prevent lips from becoming too dry and so stop chapped lips in their tracks. These chapsticks are good as they moisturise the lips, protecting them from the cold which is so damaging making them smooth and soft. The size of these chapsticks make them ideal for carrying around in your handbag so you don't have an excuse not to have one on you.



What are your winter essentials?

The One With The Anti Frizz

Last October I visited my then local hairdressers for what I believed to be a cheap cut and blow dry. It turned out to be anything but. However, it has revolutionised my hair.

I really have a love-hate relationship with my hair, in that I hate it whilst others seem to love it. I always get complimented on the colour and thickness of my hair both of which are my bug bears. Whilst others seem to love the thickness of my hair I hate it. I find the thickness of it to be too unmanageable and makes my already frizzy hair look and feel worse. I would love to have thinner hair that lies in a good way and can suit any type of haircut or style. With my extra thick hair I have to be very careful as to what kind of cuts I can go for. I cant go for cropped hair/bobs/pixie cuts purely because I would look ridiculous and just wouldn't work with the type of hair Ive been given.

My hair is also a magnet for frizz, the slightest hint of moisture in the air can set it off, so living in rainy England is something of a challenge and a nightmare. I have often longed for naturally straight hair, which takes little effort and no hair straighteners. You name it I've tried all the products on the market which promote frizz free hair but to no avail. I dare not think of the amount of money Ive spent on the latest 'wonder' shampoo or spray. I was eighteen when I first discovered hair straighteners and their magical powers. When I first purchased them I vowed to my friends that I wouldn't use them all the time, just for special occasions, how wrong I was. I rely on my hair straighteners a hell of lot,they're the only way to make my hair look more respectable although they don't 100% stop the frizz and Ive sometimes wondered why Ive bothered.

When I originally went for my haircut I only went in with the intention of a trim and a blow dry, nothing too scary or major. As I was talking to the hairdresser I moaned about how frizzy and unmanageable my hair was and that's when she suggested a new treatment on the market which aims to smooth frizz prone hair on a semi permanent basis. Basically, the results, of which there had been good results in trials and from other customers, last for around two or three months. After this time the hair still remains more manageable and remarkably less frizzy than before. I have to say I was a bit sceptical at first, having tried numerous other products none of which have helped, plus I only went in with the intention of a cheap haircut.

The treatment costs around £40 and takes about twenty minutes to work,depending on your hair type. The way it works is this, first you have a test to see how long the treatment needs to be on your hair for it to work. This involves a small amount of your hair being cut and the solution applied and timed to see how long it takes for it straighten. Mine took twenty minutes to get the desired result.Whilst this was happening I had a hair wash and had my hair trimmed. After knowing how long the treatment takes to work the solution is applied to the whole of the hair and left for the desired time.If your hairdresser is nice they'll make you a cup of tea and some magazines to read.

After around twenty minutes the solution is then washed off and your hair can then be furthered styled. On the whole I found the experience to be relaxing and it was nice to be pampered. I was warned that the solution might smell which I was a bit worried about but the smell was like a mild perm solution and wasn't as offencesive as I was expecting.

The results? I noticed a huge improvement straight after having my hair blow dried. The results were noticeable and I was definitely pleased with the results. My hair was more manageable, less frizzy and was even able to withstand rain and wind. Even now, some three months later my hair is still noticeably less frizzy more manageable and after six years of constant hair straightening I am confident enough to go out with natural, no straightened hair, something which Id never consider doing before. I

My hairdresser also recommended that I swap my normal shampoo/conditioner for Redken Smooth Lock shampoo/conditioner in order to strengthen and maintain the results of the treatment.I found that Redken products make my hair smoother and reduce frizz and have helped to maintain what the treatment achieved.Although Redken products are a little over my budget I would recommend them and you only need a small amount each time you wash your hair so they do last longer than expected.

Im glad that I took the chance and said yes to this treatment. Ive noticed an improvenment in my hair and the amount of frizz has reduced. Its also reduced the amount of hair straightening which happens and I never thought I would be able to go for six weeks without straightening my hair. My confidence in my hair and appearance has greatly improved and now I spend less time worrying about how my hair looks.

What do you love and hate about your hair?

What are you anti frizz tips and tricks?

The one where I say sorry

I just wanted to say a quick sorry for the lack of blog posts in the past few days.

My posts will be spontaneous as working full time for the NHS means I have to work shifts and as such I have precious little free time.

Working twelve and half hour shifts is very bad for blogging and I try to fit in posting when I can. It so frustrating to have so many ideas and so many blog posts planned but not the actual time to write them.

So this is a post to apologise and to say stick with me.

The One Where The Converse Come Out

Skinny jeans: New Look
Jumper: H&M
Trainers: Converse
Handbag: M&S

Today has been a pretty miserable day in Devon, all dull sky and grey clouds. The numbers on the thermometer have dropped too, with today being the coldest day for a long while. This coupled with the fact that I had to get up on my day off and go into the hospital to have a blood test meant I went down the warm and comfortable route when choosing today's outfit ( my opinion there's not point in glamming it up when visiting hospital!)

My comfortable, keeping myself warm outfit featured the appearance of my new converse.
I recently purchased my first ever pair of converse and have only worn them once as I was too afraid of getting them dirty! So I decided that today was the day when they should leave the safety of my overstuffed wardrobe and brave the world. I find converse to be easy to wear and comfortable, I had no problem walking around town looking for sale bargains in them and as such I'm already planning building up a rather large converse collection!

Skinny jeans used to be my fashion enemy, I hated them with a passion as I naively thought that only stupidly skinny girls could wear them and look good in them. Although I'm slim I always worried that I'd feel uncomfortable in skinny jeans and that they wouldn't flatter my figure. However, my dad bought me a pair of skinny jeans from New Look at the end of last year and when I tried them on out of curiosity I found them to be comfortable and wearable and they don't make my legs look fat like I was worrying about. If skinny jeans have taught me one thing its not be afraid and to try things and to push yourself out of your comfort zone. Now I wear my jeans all the time.

My jumper is from H&M which is worn over a basic navy vest. It keeps me warm in the colder weather and looks good paired with jeans.

The handbag was a bought with a free voucher from Sky. I ordered it online and was a bit taken aback by how big it was when I picked it up (I thought it would be a lot smaller) but I prefer bigger bags over smaller ones. It's perfect for carrying all my bits and bobs (of which there's a lot) about and it's ideal for hiding away forbidden shopping!

Worn together with my Primark coat this outfit was the best hospital/shopping outfit.

The One With The Lazy Day Outfit

Top: H&M

Denim skirt: Superdry

Belt: Primark

Boots: Primark

Bag: Urban Outfitters

Tights: K&Co

Today was one of those lazy days, when all I wanted to do was lounge around all day in my onesie watching DVDS but alas there were things to do and nieces and nephews to see.

Seeing as all I wanted to do was wear my onesie I couldn't be all that bothered to put too much time into picking an outfit and seeing as I'd just finished night shifts I didn't have the mental or physical energy in planning out a perfectly put together outfit. Therefore, I just dived into my wardrobe and picked out the nearest things to hand,which luckily all managed to come together and I could go out looking fairly respectable.

The top is something I picked out of the H&M sale a couple of years ago and haven't really worn much since. The colour and detailing were the things which appealed to me when I first saw it and I think it makes an ideal winter top.

The denim skirt is from Superdry and is the only skirt I own. I'm not normally a skirt fan, I have issues with my legs and don't particularly like getting them out, but I thought I'd give it a go and I was pleasantly surprised - maybe I'll wear more skirts in future!

The tights were a Christmas present from my parents and I love them. They're comfortable and thick and are the perfect thing to add to any winter outfit. I always favour woollen,thick tights.

The boots I picked up in the Primark sale not that long ago. I instantly fell in love with these boots when I saw them and knew they'd have to be part of my collection. I'd been looking for a pair of boots for some time and these fitted the bill. They are so versatile and comfortable.

The bag was another sale bargain, this time from Urban Outfitters. I wanted a small black bag which I could keep all my essentials in - keys, phone,wallet, without lugging a huge bag around.

The belt I bought about seven or eight years ago from Primark. I adore the stars, they jazz up an otherwise boring clothing item and add a christmassy element to an outfit.

Whats your lazy day style?

The One With The Horoscopes #3

The third of my horoscope blog posts focuses upon finance and career. I've got lots of exciting things which I want to achieve in 2013 so I'm particularly interested in this aspect of my life. Here's what the new year may have to offer me:


"Powerful Pluto at the top of your chart is operating in a pushy role. You won’t be satisfied with taking a back seat in matters of employment.
Success seems sure where career goals are concerned so long as you blend plenty of tact and diplomacy with your ambitious tendencies.
You don’t want others to feel you’re riding roughshod over their feelings.
Uranus is likely to be responsible for your occasional bouts of extravagance in the months of May and August.
You will also enjoy parting with money in November. You could sniff out some great bargains while shopping online.
A work assignment will turn into something of a puzzle in September.
Deciphering the clues will teach you how nothing should ever be taken for granted.
There will be too many inconsistencies for you to feel confident about decisions made in the autumn.
November will be an essentially promising month."

It'll be fun looking back on these horoscopes at the end of the year and seeing whether  there was any truth in them.

The One With The Horoscopes #2

In yesterdays blog post I decided to share with you my love predictions for 2013 courtesy of the Daily Mirror and Russell Grant. At the end of 2013 I will look back on these predictions and see whether anything came true - I'm thinking not but lets not spoil the fun.

Today's horoscope focuses on health and well being for the new year so here's what I potentially have to look forward to:

"You should feel positive and energetic between mid-March and April 20 while dynamic Mars travels through your sign.
If you’ve been stuck in a rut, a male friend or a new set of events will incentivise you to make changes and explore a new range of social and professional options.
Whatever your aims between May and July, health is on your side.
Your mood will be confident and relaxed in the summer and you’re likely to stay calm and cool, even in tense situations.
There’s a lot to be happy about and, thanks to your high spirits and active lifestyle, you could feel better than you have done for a long time.
Make sure you keep up a steady pace and you will continue feeling alert throughout the autumn too.
Keep yourself in shape between October and December.
Jobs about the house will help burn off excess energy while you might also work on your physical health via exercise and diet."

Do you believe in horoscopes?

The One With The Horoscopes #1

I'm not into horoscopes, occasionally I'll have a look and see what my star sign says but other than that I don't  pay too much attention to them. However, I was looking through the Daily Mirror today - don't judge me, its my parents - when I came across a huge section devoted to 2013 horoscopes. Whilst I'd  usually scoff at such things today I though it would be interesting - call it an experiment - to see if the next year bears any resemble to the predictions of Russell Grant. So here's what the Daily Mirror/Russell Grant predicts my 2013 to look like:


"If changes in a relationship are overdue, the start of 2013 is a perfect time to introduce them.
Your ruler Mars in the people area of your chart will help you phase out activities, commitments or relationships that have outlived their usefulness.
Romantic affairs and friendships will flourish in February thanks to the influence of Venus.
Your ability to get on with others is also heightened by Jupiter’s zealous influence up until the end of June.
Take advantage of this to persuade influential people to support your personal and career aims.
Between July and December, Jupiter brings his expansive influence to bear on your home life and domestic matters.
If you are looking to rent or buy property, these transactions should go smoothly.
Some colleagues won’t like it but you won’t have any complaints about the special treatment your boss gives you in November"

Do you follow your horoscope?

The One With The New Years Resolutions

So, we all do it.

Every year we make resolutions which, if we're lucky we manage to go a couple of weeks without breaking.,although most of the time we fall at the first hurdle i.e. within 72 hours of the new year.

This year I've decided to set myself a number of goals to achieve throughout the year, I'm hoping they'll challenge me and will help me to achieve some great things throughout 2013.

Some are incredibly personal and others are things which I've wanted to achieve before but haven't had the time or the inclination to do before now. Some of them might seem trivial but I've picked them all for a specific reason and they each mean something to me.

Ultimately, I'm hoping to make 2013 a great and successful year.....


*  Pass my theory test

* Learn to drive

* Save more money/use Building Society account

* Decide what to do with my career/learn new skills

* Get a passport

* Go abroad - Paris/Poland

* Spend more time on photography/get photos publishedBuilding Society 

* Visit Nai in Bangor

* Buy more second hand clothes

* Volunteer

* Get another tattoo

* Be more positive/optimistic

* Get off meds

* Be happy with myself

* Keep a journal

* Start an Etsy account

* Learn to knit/crotchet

* Take up running

* Maintain a healthy weight

* Drink more water

* Take vitamins

* Ride a rollercoaster

*Read all 3 LOTR books

* Stay up and watch the Superbowl

* Maintain a skincare regime

 

What are your goals for 2013?