want; disco disco disco

RIVER ISLAND black tube pants £30; ASOS split lens cat eye sunglasses £12; AMERICAN APPAREL galaxy glitter nail polish £9; H&M embellished bikini top + bottoms £12.99, £9.99.

001. I have been eyeing up the American Apparel Disco Pants for what seems like a lifetime now but just can't bring myself to pay £70 for what are essentially a pair of suck-me-in leggings. These caught my eye as soon as they arrived in work + for just £30 are a pretty decent dupe! These emerald green ones are also amazing IRL!

002. I'm on the hunt for the perfect sunglasses I think these may be the ones, cat eye, half tint, perfect!


003. When in Birmingham on the weekend I had a little mooch around the AA section in Selfridges + this nail varnish immediately caught my eye! It was completely sold out which made me want it even more, boo!

004. I really wanted this bikini in the white version a few months ago but with no holiday booked at the time it would of been a bit of a waste! Now the white has disappeared but this black is online in it's place, not quite as perfect in my opinion but still pretty gorgeous!

sunday post #018

 camo jacket; mexican super chef; vintage shirt; chopstix; sunshine + strawberries; corona; blue skies; wild nap hair; bath time treats; polka dot ice cream; carousel; cardiff bay; my gals; pampering time; sunshine diet; ordering wine via an ipad at la tour hotel #swank; bullring; dream dress; what i did this weekend; sunday's are costa cooler days; i will be here in 32 days time eeek!

I've been enjoying my weekends so much lately, week days too actually since we've been blessed with a bit of sunshine! This weekend the boyfriend whisked me away to Birmingham! We stayed the night at Hotel La Tour in a superior room, an amazing hotel if you fancy treating yourself! The comfiest bed I've ever stayed in, delicious food, a TV in the bath, waterfall shower + an iPad as a wine list at dinner! A paper menu clearly didn't make the cut!

I spent this morning at Bullring shopping centre; ogling dresses at All Saints + picking up some bargains at H&M. We cut our shopping trip short as we were both suffering with champagne induced hangovers so my bank card didn't quite take the beating I was expecting, phew! I have treated myself to a fair few bits already over the past couple of weeks. I've been debating filming a 'July Buys' video, I've been watching far too many youtubers this week + feeling the urge to give it a go! We'll see!

Ooh rather exciting, my boyfriend + I have booked to go to Mexico in 4 weeks time! So so so so excited! Bikini diet starts tomorrow, spin lessons booked, just need to sort my wardrobe so I can making a list of things I need! We're staying at the Sensatori in Riviera Maya + our hotel is just 30 minutes from Cancun; anyone been that could recommend any activities/excursions? Would love to know!

topshop lips; secret admirer

TOPSHOP lips in secret admirer £8

After posting about my undying love for my MAC Créme Cup lipstick a few weeks ago, the unthinkable happened.. It melted! So heartbreaking *sobsobsob*! So when in Cardiff last Friday I was going to get a replacement Créme Cup, (third of this year) but saw this shade in Topshop + did a little happy dance as I thought I'd found a pretty decent dupe!

Like Créme Cup, Secret Admirer is soft, nude pink with a smooth, creamy finish. I was quite surprised at how hydrating this lipstick is seeing as it is quite pigmented too. I don't think it quite has the thickness or lasting power that MAC lipsticks have but being almost half the price (with student discount) you really can't grumble! I'll probably repurchase Créme Cup + keep this Topshop shade for everyday wear + for my night out handbag. Overall very happy with my find, have you tried this shade yet or know of any dupes similar to this one?

notw; peach, lime + 3D flowers

BARRY M peach melba nail paint £2.99; OPI nicki minaj did it on 'em £12.95 (part of mini set); EBAY 3D flower £0.99.

My inner magpie took over this weekend resulting in bright, slightly tacky nails! I gotta say I'm slightly besotted with them! This Barry M shade is quickly becoming one of my favourites; it looks amazing with a tan + is basically the perfect peach colour. When I bought the OPI Nicki Minaj mini set I didn't think I'd really get much wear out of this lime shade but these two colours work really well together. I think I'm going to try them in an aztec style next with a bit of white/gold thrown in. The flower was a bit of an impulse thing but I do think it's super pretty albeit rather tacky! Summery nails seeing as the sun has decided to make an appearance(:

want; swan print + lemon

TOPSHOP swan print tie bandeau £28; ZARA high heel sandal with ankle strap £39.99; BOOTS models own lemon meringue £5; FEEL UNIQUE neom home candle £37.50; LUSH lemony flutter cuticle butter £5.95.

001. I knew I needed this bralet as soon as I laid eyes on it, totally love at first sight! Now to try + hunt it down, challenge accepted!

002. I think the high street is slacking a bit at the moment when it comes to killer heels. These Zara beauts definitely up the stakes + for £40 are quite the bargain!

003. The candy stripe nail art has been on my 'nail art to do list' for ages now. I have a range of pastel shades in my nail varnish collection just need this lemon shade to complete the set.

004. I'm absolutely candle crazy + dying to try out these Neom candles, the price tag is just so epic boo):

005. My nails are gross at the minute + in desperate need of some TLC! I'm worried for my bank balance's sake about popping into Lush, I usually end up leaving with a basket full of goodies! The sales staff are waaaay to good at their job in there!

real techniques core collection

BOOTS real techniques core collection 1403 £21.99

I bought this brush set a month or two ago when on a random splurge in Boots. Created by Samantha Chapman, of Pixiwoo fame, these brushes were destined to be a blogger's favourite + for damn good reason too! These brushes are by far the softest I own + worth the money even for just the buffing brush! Although I'm a firm believer in the power of good quality make up application tools, I only own one MAC brush. I've picked them up numerous times but just can't bring myself to spend £30+ on a single brush, I'm way too thrifty for those prices!

This beauty of a set contains four dense, light weight brushes + a really clever pouch which doubles up as a stand! Although the brushes are labelled with their designed use, I think they're so multifunctional! I use the buffing brush to apply liquid foundation, the detailer brush for lipstick, the pointed foundation brush for my MAC studio finish concealer + the contour brush to contour. I'm not sure if this is the correct way to use these brushes but it certainly works for me!

I've washed these brushes around 5 times now + I don't think they've shed a single hair between them! Also they seem to dry a lot quicker than my other brushes even though they're so dense. I'm totally converted to Real Techniques now + can't wait to treat myself to the blush brush, powder brush + starter set out of my pay + Boots points! Have you tried any of these brushes yet?

style inspiration; camo jacket

left URBAN OUTFITTERS; right TOPSHOP both £48.

Nineties nostalgia is big this summer! Although some trends are better left in the past (scrunchies, inflatable backpacks, need I go on?!ha), some looks from the 90's, 'the decade that style forgot', are somehow making their way back in! Mood rings, dungarees, platform trainers, crop tops, the list of mini trends go on! Although these looks have been popping up for a few months now, the one that I strangely can't get enough of is camo print! I say strangely as even though these ladies are rocking it, I'm not too sure if it's really 'me'?

look one + two jessica v. VintageVirgin; look three + four heather c. effiesmakeupbox; look five + six penelope s. fashion-fade. 

From looking at how these jackets have been styled, I think its safe to say that they weirdly go with anything from floral prints to crisp white shirts. I think they best suit the grungy style with rolled up sleeves, stacks of accessories + work really well with nasty gal/runwaydreamz style cut off denim. I almost ordered the Urban Outfitter jacket on the weekend but as I was scrolling through eBay I found loads of the f2 style jacket for a fraction of the price! Highly recommend checking out eBay before investing! I can't wait for mine to arrive to start playing around with outfits! And if my initial fear that camo print really isn't for me comes true, then at least I've only wasted £9.99!

sunday post #017

found myself a new hobby; cute kitty cupcakes; pizza; camo inspired studded bracelets; desperados in the sun; best strawberry + lime cider; outfit decisions; night out evidence; my girls; cuddles; chill out time; night out face; beach; white chocolate ice cream.

want; studs, skirts + surf spray

TOPSHOP studded suede clutch £38; ASDA maybelline forever strong pro ceramic blue 2 for £4; TOPSHOP harness corset £30; BUMBLE AND BUMBLE surf spray £19.50; RIVER ISLAND side ruched skirt £22.

001. Black + studs + suede = perfect bag, sold!

002. I might of already picked up this nail varnish while buying a few things in Asda the other day. They retail for £4.10 each so the offer is a pretty good deal! The formula is pretty amazing too, post to follow!

003. I have a slight obsession with corset tops/bralets as of late, I love the contrast between the black + powder blue!

004. Been lusting after the bumble and bumble surf spray for agessss! Now that my hair has a bit more shape I'm tempted to try out the smaller sized bottle to try + get the perfect textured, messy look. Has anyone tried this, would you recommend?

005. This skirt caught my eye when it first arrived in work but when I actually went to buy it my size was typically out of stock! The grey marl version is also on my wish list as I think they'll both look amazing with my growing collection of bralets!

 

shop; jolly molyneux

"rad handmade goodies for rad human beings!"

etsy ; facebook ; big cartel

My sister + I have joined together our creative minds and have started our own little shop Jolly Molyneux! At the moment our stock consists solely of handmade jewellery but we're soon set to sell a variety of items from phone cases to t-shirts! So if you're looking for original + unique pieces bookmark us on etsy + big cartel and follow us on facebook!

sunday post #016

hair re-vamp; bleach; new blonder ombré; kate nash; gig outfit; gig; take away; band wagon; arm bling; sister + oliver; strawberries + cream frap'; doing mad tings; costa catch up; best cereal; sale delivery!

This past week has been an absolute whirlwind! Unfortunately not in the exciting, swept of your feet kind of way but busy, busy, busy! I've been working non-stop due to the summer sale in work. I've got to say it, people go craaaaazy trying to grab a River Island bargain. I witnessed fully grown women sprinting down the store at 8am to grab arms full of shoes + handbags, it was honestly quite frightening! Though I have to admit if I wasn't being forced to work, I'd probably be queueing outside from the early am to grab 50% off wristbands too! I did treat myself to a few bargains during my lunch breaks + also made the most of being up at 6am by placing an early morning order online, happy bunny! Will share what I bought in the week!

I've had a really quiet weekend after a rather exhausting week. Last weekend though was a total different story! I've mentioned before that my cousin Fern drums for Kate Nash *name drop*! I know she's not exactly main stream any more (something she's probably proud of!) but I've always been a major fan! Kate's tour landed in Cardiff last Saturday so we filled a mini bus + headed into the city centre. I had such a good night! We was all totally wasted and there are rather large holes in what I remember of the night but you seriously can't beat live music, beer + good company!

Oh, I've also re-ombréd my hair; I've taken the blonde a lot higher + dyed my roots a lighter colour too! I've also had a fair bit taken off the length so now I've got a bit of a mid-length blunt cut which you can kind of see in the picture of me pulling a face!ha.. It feels so much thicker + healthier so pretty happy with it! Some days I love my ombré + others I'm a little tired of it, I'm unsure of whether to go darker or more blonde so will stay in the middle until I make up my mind!

I've not really got a lot planned for this week. My extra shifts are slowly thinning out leaving me with more time on my hands. I received my uni' results last week + passed my second year (woooooo!) + am now awaiting my summer project ready for my final year. SCARYY!! I'm more than ready to get the creative juices flowing again now though, I've started using pinterest to find some time consuming DIY ideas! Any suggestions?