Nail Varnish Collection Downsize…

I've noticed in recent months that my style is getting really minimal. My go-to outfit has been jeans boots and a grey t-shirt, my hair is left natural, and as long as I have lots of lashes and a bright lip I'm good to go out the door. So when I went to pick a nail varnish out of my collection recently, I was a bit overwhelmed with all my pinks, glitters, brights, nail effects etc etc etc. Don't get me wrong, I love pastels and brights and lots of colour on my nails, but I just felt I needed a real de-clutter. And by de-clutter, I mean throw all my glitter polishes in the bin. My life is too short to remove glitter nail varnish regularly. So, here's my collection post-clearout…

l-r Essie Grow Stronger base coat, Seche Vite top coat. 

Everyone needs a good base and top coat. I've been using both of these religiously for about 12 months, and I wouldn't use anything else. 

l-r Rimmel 60 Second Rita Ora collection in Pillow Talk, Lose You're Lingerie, Orgasm

These are my favourite new drugstore release by far. I adore all of the colours, plus it's in conjunction with Rita Ora, who I happen to have the biggest girl crush on. It's also worth noting that the middle shade above is a great dupe for Essie Fiji.

l-r Models Own Purple Grey, Rasberry Crush, Purple Passion, Purple Blue from the Beetle Juice collection. 

I used to have in excess of 40 Models Own polishes but I re-homed most of them with friends and threw away the ones that had gone gloopy and here's what I'm left with. The two pink colours I've kept specifically for toes especially with a tan in the summer. 

l-r Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure in I Pink I Can, Midnight in NY, Mermaids Tail, All Fired Up

I love the formula and brush on these, they apply with one stroke down the nails and are almost opaque after one coat. I'd go as far as to say All Fired Up is probably my favourite nail colour. Ever. 

l-r Essie Mint Candy Apple, Fiji, Lilacism, Peach Daiquiri 

Ahhhh the classic Essie love on a blog. Who'da thought it?! I think Peach Daiquiri is quite a standard shade and wasn't too overwhelmed with it, but Lilacism is so beautiful and understated. 

l-r Sportgirl Aubergine, Collection (don't know the shade name, it's just black) Sportgirl neon pink, Gosh Lavender Love, Barry M Lychee 

These are my odds and ends that don't fit in any categories. A bit like Models Own, I threw away or re-homed most of my Barry M nail varnishes as I thought they chipped too easily but I do quite like the new Gelly formula so if you have any colour recommendations from this line I'd love to hear them!

Loves

xxx

What's on my nails #2...

BYS in Ferris Wheel

Do you ever have those days when you wake up and feel like Barbie? Well wear this nail varnish and as soon as you catch a glimpse of your nails through bleary morning eyes while you're putting the kettle on, you'll think you were the girl herself. This is my ultimate Barbie pink girlie shade, and I love how it complements a tan as well as looking cute against pale skin. Not so in love with the formula but it was just a cheapy from the drug store next to my work. 

What's on your nails right now?

Loves

xxx

My week in outfits....

Hey lovelies hope you're all well! I'm lucky to have a three day weekend this weekend, Mondays my birthday so I've got the day off and heading to Birmingham with my mum and dad to do a bit of shopping and have some lunch....hopefully there will be a birthday haul coming your way next week! 


Anyway I've got one of my usual OOTW posts for you...

This was just to work on Monday, I've bought so many of these skirts from H&M just recently as they're just so easy to wear.

Jacket & Shoes: River Island

Skirt, top: H&M

Watch: Asos

Tights & Necklace: Primark

 I popped out for some food with a couple of mates on Tuesday night and really didn't feel like dressing up so just opted for some chino's with my red converse, and my new favourite slogan top from TK Maxx...

Chino's: Vera Moda

Converse: Office

Top: TK Maxx

Watch: Oasis

Boys are heartless

This was just to go out for drinks with a friend on Thursday, I finally got to wear my new Topshop shoes I showed you here. 

Shoes & Necklaces: Topshop

Tights, black vest, ring: Primark

Jacket: H&M

Grey top: New Look

Another work outfit, again with one of my favourite stretch H&M skirts. I love the colour of this top but it's a bit of an odd length so thought it would do for work!

Top, tights: Primark

Watch: Asos

Skirt: H&M

Shoes: New Look (about 6 years ago!!)

I just threw this on today to I pop into town, I went to get my nails done and buy wine for when the girls come round tonight (wine, chinese & Xfactor...doesn't get much better than that really!!) I LOVE these jeans and I'm thinking of doing a 3 ways to wear post with them. 

Shoes: Converse at Office

Jeans: Primark

Necklace & Vest: Topshop

Handbag: River Island

 As I said, I had my nails done as an early birthday treat to myself. I always have gel nails done and always go for the natural ones so I can paint them weird and wonderful colours. I always ask for them short as well so I can get away with 3 weeks between getting them filled in. I go to Eden beauty and have Eva, who is amazing. I also have my eyebrows done by her so I highly recommend!

Enjoy the rest of your weekend and I'll hopefully see you next time with a birthday haul!!

Loves

xxx

July favourites....

Here comes my favourite time of the month! I've done a video for you this month, as last month I was feeling really rubbish and under the weather and only posted a couple of crappy pictures and hardly had any favourites! This month though I could have gone on and on and on! My main thing this month is hand and nail care, I've really trying to look after and grow my own nails, and with that has come a whole load of new additions to my nail varnish collection!!

Anyway here's the video so take a look....lots of lovely things that I can't get enough of!

Loves

xxx

The final nail in the coffin....

Wahhhhh :( my nails have gone. After 5 weeks they had just got too long (I couldn't even do my own bracelets up) and the tips had just about grown off so I decided to take them off and go natural for a while. In fact, I'm determined to grow my own nails! I have the worst peely flaky nails ever, so not sure how well it is going to go, but one of my mates bought some hair and nail tablets from Holland and Barrett....

Her nails were the same as mine are now and did NOT grow but this was like a miracle and they're gorgeous now. Also, if they help my hair to grow that will be an added bonus. I think these were £6.99 so even if they don't work I haven't lost anything! You take 3 a day with meals, so I'll do an update every week to see how well they're working!

I also bought some Sally Hansen Maximum Growth treatment, which is just a clear varnish that aims to strengthen nails and aid growth.... (excuse my HORRIBLE nails, they are as sore as they look!)

While I was browsing Boots, I also came across this little contraption.... a back tanner!?! It may be useless but I'm a sucker for a tanning gadget, I'm off for a shower and to tan now so I'll let you know how it goes!!

Let's free fall and see where we land.....

Today I'm just obsessed with this song...

Anyway this is a pretty picture heavy one sorry guys, just to show you what I've been spending my pennies on.

These are actually from New Look and the were reduced to £2! They're really similar to Barry M dazzle dust pots, the colours are great and stay on great without creasing or the glitter falling off onto my cheeks!

This was a bargain down to £8 from New Look, I might wear it out tomorrow night tucked into high waisted denim shorts when I go out with the girls!

Another bargain from New Look, this was £8 as well and it's so cute with the little pockets on the front.

I really needed a plain short cardigan to go over a black and white maxi dress I've got for work, and of course it had to be corral! £12.99 H&M.

I've never really been much of a floral dress fan but I love the elasticating on this one, and it will look cute with tan loafer's when the sun decided to come out! £14.99 H&M

This is easily my favourite purchase, a jersey playsuit with elasticated waist, I really want to wear this for work tomorrow with some black leggings and my white hightop converse! Such a bargain for £9.99 from H&M.

This is just a little skirt for work, £7.99 from H&M, and I've got a button up collared sleeveless shirt that will look quite cute tucked in.

I just picked this up for the size, perfect for my handbag! It's a floral smelling body spray, it's not a very strong smell but it's good for topping up through the day.

I've got nearly all of their range of the £1.99 bangles and bracelets from there, and I usually wear them all at once stacked up my arm. I've got these in black but I loved the snakeskin detail so got both new colours!

These were in the sale in New Look (two were buy one get one free and two were down to £1) because I'm trying to grow my hair so need something to make it look fun when it's up!

I picked a couple of cheap makeup brushes up in Kerrie Anne's as well, I'm still experimenting guys but I'm sure I'll find some I like soon!

I could NOT believe these when I was stood waiting to pay for my brushes, as these are usually £2.99 a set. And these are £5.99 for FIVE sets! They're all slightly different as well which is nice.

Dorothy Perkins had a great sale on their jewellery and after a rummage around I found these three for the total of £8.

Ooooh and the most exciting thing about today...I'm finally back to being a Black Cherry-head, and I had my nails done; some nice short square gel nails. 

I went out last night with Chris to see some of his friends singing in a bar in town, was a really nice evening and it was the end of my alcohol detox which I thoroughly enjoyed. I wore my black jumpsuit with tan loafers and tan waist belt, and a cropped denim jacket over the top...here's a few snaps before I went out...

I hope everyones got lots of lovely plans for the bank holiday weekend!!

Loves xx