31 March 2015

CAMEL EYESHADOW

Camel Eyeshadow - Illamasqua 'Vernau'

I just wanted to do a quickie update on this one as basically this is the only eyeshadow I've used since I bought it. I went for it seen as I'm totally drawn into the whole camel trend, even though I don't really own many camel coloured items. I'm normally a boring nudes kind of girl, and while this is still pretty natural it's a bit different than the beige sort of shades that fill my makeup bag.Here I mostly went for that cut crease kind of thaaang. I did attempt a bit of winged liner but rubbed it off when I fudged it up - HOW do people do slick eyeliner?! It's a skill.. One that I'm yet to acquire.

I haven't used any Illamasqua products for a good while but I've loved the bits that I have tried. I feel like payday is leading me back there so if there are any other products you can recommend let me know, always happy for you guys to be enablers!

youtube / bloglovin / twitter / facebook / pinterest / tumblr / instagram
x
SHARE:

29 March 2015

BLOGGING: WHAT PEOPLE THINK I DO.. WHAT I ACTUALLY DO


I think without intending to I've ended up with these daft blogging posts becoming a bit of a series.. I love having a giggle at anything relatable (I spend half my life reading the '20 things you'll realise in your twenties' sort of posts..), and for me this is all relevant. It's kind of a follow on from the Blogger's Misconceptions post I did.. I think anyone who blogs quickly realises that not everyone 'gets' blogging. So, here's what people think I do, and what I actually do.. 

What my friends think I do - sit in a mountain of freebies.

Yeah, bloggers do indeed get their fair share of freebies thrown their way, so it's kind of understandable. Not many of my friends are really into the whole blogging scene so getting a few things in the post every now and then is a bit of a novelty. It is really lovely and I do appreciate it, but it does come with work attached. 

What my parents think I do - spend my life sat playing Candy Crush.

Or reading the Daily Mail. Or sat on Tumblr. Don't get me wrong, my parents couldn't be more supportive when it comes to me blogging - but there are definitely times when my Ma is running about with the hoover, getting mega annoyed with me while she thinks I'm just sat here having a good old time on Bejewelled. 

What society thinks I do - talk about how important fashuuun is.

I sometimes think people see bloggers as a bit pretentious.. Like all we've got going on is talking about lipstick and whether a meal is suitably Instagrammable. While I like faffing about with new makeup and talking about the top I bought at the weekend, it doesn't mean it's what my world revolves around. 

What my other half thinks I do - spend forever taking selfies.

Actually based on my phone's gallery this one is probably correct. Lol. I ask my other half a lot to help out with taking blog pictures, and begrudgingly he does oblige. While he does appreciate that my blog is important to me, there are times when I think he could do without me taking 10 pictures of my chosen lipstick before I find one I'm happy with. 

What I actually do - sit in my little internet bubble with too many tabs open wondering what the fudge to write. 

Mess. Too many tabs. Having strops when pictures don't go right. Doing too many things at daft o'clock. Contrary to how this sounds, I do love blogging, but I think sometimes people just see the 'fluffy' stuff - the freebies and the selfies on Instagram and the fact that you look totally zoned out sat on the laptop when you've actually been working on something all day. Y'know?

Let me know if there's any you can relate with!

x


View Full Post
SHARE:

28 March 2015

DENIM OUTFITS - #AllInTheJeans

Steffi Jeans & Outfits - All Miss Selfridge

As I mentioned earlier in the week, I recently popped into Miss Selfridge to try out their new personal styling service in Meadowhall, which tied in nicely with the launch of their new #AllInTheJeans campaign. I naturally went for the Steffi Jeans  - a super high waist with all that sucky-in action I need. Instead of the usual black wash I'm always drawn to, I ventured out there with the 'Pretty Blue' denim. A true blue like this is something I haven't ever really worn, but with summer coming up I thought they'd make a nice change. I find it so easy to get into a rut with wearing my black skinnies way more than I should, so these should help me mix it up a tad! My lovely Personal Stylist Emily was on hand with plenty of ideas for how to wear them, without pushing me too far outside of my comfort zone.. There was still plenty of black thrown in there & a whole plethora of crop tops. Old habits die hard.

In the end I went for a mix of extra casual to the night on the taaarn sort of look. The first outfit was my no fuss summer look - festival vibes thrown in with the pattered vest and jeans turned up to keep it relaxed. The next look is something I'd definitely wear for work - nothing too fancy but still smart. Emily suggested popping the necklace over the shirt.. Something I'd never thought of with them both being quite detailed, but I love how it looks. My final outfit was something I'll be saving for nights out - a bit vampish & flashing a tad more flesh. Now can it just get into the double digit temps so I can get wearing these looks without bundling up with a coat and scarf?! 

youtube bloglovin / twitter / facebook / pinterest / tumblr / instagram
x
View Full Post
SHARE:

26 March 2015

CLEAR MAKEUP STORAGE - JUMPING ON THE BANDWAGON LATE

Makeup Storage - TK Maxx, Mirror - No. 7

Y'know me, always late to the party. Yup, I'm about 5 years behind on the whole clear makeup storage thing, but it's something that I still think looks really nice. While it did have a bit of a phase (I did have aspirations of a Kardashian esq. makeup collection) I guess it's so simple it isn't that trend focused. I'd tried getting my hands on some before but when even eBay let me down on a cheap alternative I gave up and went back to a messy storage box to chuck everything in - eyeliner pencil shavings and all. It wasn't pretty, nor did it make my life easier scrabbling about at 6am trying to find the lippy I was after. With this I'm keeping everything neat and don't have the dramz when I'm late for work and still haven't got any eyebrows on. Girl problems. 

Even though it has definitely done it's rounds on the blogosphere I thought these would be worth posting - the large tray was about £12 and the smaller one about £8. They had a few different styles too.. Struggling to not convince myself I need more. I always love having a route around TK Maxx, it's a bit like a posh jumble sale.. You never know what you'll find!


x
View Full Post
SHARE:

24 March 2015

MISS SELFRIDGE PERSONAL STYLING SESH

Outfits c/o Miss Selfridge

You know what's really nice? To do something fashion/blogging related in Sheffield! Yeah, up here isn't exactly the fashion capital, but it is lovely to be able to just have a quick trip to Meadowhall for a blog thaaang rather than sulk about not being able to go to a dreamy sounding event down in London. Miss Selfridge invited me into try out their new personal styling service and I thought it sounded loverrrly. I've never used a personal shopper or stylist, so it was nice to see if it was actually worth it - it definitely is! When you're rushing around shops trying to find an outfit it's sometimes overwhelming having a million and one varieties of skinny jeans or tees facing you. I had the lovely Emily (for me the perfect kind of stylist, not too pushy but ready with all the latest from Miss Selfridge and some ideas on ways to wear that I hadn't thought of) on hand to help me pick out some outfits to go with the Steffi Jeans and generally just enjoyed a bit of the VIP treatment - always nice, even when you're just looking for something simple!

These are just a few snaps from the day - I've got a few different outfits coming in a so I don't want to harp on too much about it all yet. I will say though that I'm mad for these jeans now! They manage to lift my bottom from resting somewhere on the backs of my knees to something much my shapely. Hoorah! 

x
View Full Post
SHARE:

22 March 2015

THINGS TO DO WHEN YOU'VE HAD ENOUGH OF BLOGGING


I thought I'd do this post as it's all been pretty relevant to me over the last few months. Around Christmas time, I’d decided I was done with blogging. Yep, I was probably being a tad dramatic, but over the culmination of a good few months I'd decided I no longer liked it and really hated the content I was coming up with. I know, possibly sounding like I'm expecting tiny violins to start playing.

It was a real jumble of factors as to why I wasn't loving it.. from feeling like I didn’t have the time to do it how I wanted, to the constant over analysing of my appearance and myself as a person. Anyhoo.. I had a breather, had my little strop and eventually moved on to start getting some ‘blogging lurrrve’ back. While I’m still working on it, I feel like my opinion has somewhat altered and we’re back to me & blogging being friends. If you’re having that ‘off’ stage with blogging, these are a few ways I think can help get you back on track.

Take a break.

The world won’t stop turning if you miss a couple of posts. I got so into my once-every-other-day schedule that I felt like I couldn’t have a break and just think about what it is that I’m actually doing. The internet is a funny old world and sometimes I just need a bit of time away from it. While I never really disappeared from blogging, I had a few weeks of done in advance posts so that I could also have some time to think what I wanted to do next.

Get re-inspired

I find it’s easy to get so wrapped up in your own little blogging world that you forget to soak up a good bit of inspo. More recently I’ve been obsessed with Tumblr and Pinterest, stalking everything from outfits to photography ideas. Another thing I push myself to do is READ OTHER BLOGS. It’s just one of those last minute things I never have time for, but it’s always nice to get some inspo back from all those blogging babes.

Plan

My biggest problem is usually planning.. Mainly because I plan without actually ‘planning’. In the past I’ve churned out a few scheduled blog posts, but was mostly done it without a purpose, just for the sake of keeping it up. These days I try to make jotting down ideas a continuous thing - always updating a memo on my phone or adding bits to my diary. I think about what I like to read, what I like to write and then try to smudge that all together.

Take another direction

I think my blog has changed a bit recently.. It hasn’t been a conscious effort, but in three years of blogging my interests have understandably altered. I still love the fashion-y bits, but I also like to read the daft chatty stuff, lifestyle posts and about all things girly. Change isn’t always a bad thing, and I love that I now write about what I want to write about.. Not just the stuff that's expected.

Think about if it’s what you want to be doing

I thought about this one for ages.. Had me and the internet world just fallen out for good? In the end I decided we were just going through a rough patch, but there’s nothing wrong in deciding it’s no longer right for you. I’ve been blogging for a few years now and can I definitely say this will be something I’ll be doing when I’m old and wrinkly? Nope. While I’m happy to get back into my blog, I’ve reminded myself that if it’s no longer right for me then it’s not a crime to say so. It’s always something you can come back to if and when you feel the time is right.

Aaaand that’s how I got back to no longer feeling all mehhh about blogging. Please tell me I’m not the only one that’s had the blogging ‘dip'?!

x

View Full Post
SHARE:

21 March 2015

DISTRESSED DENIM


Coat - c/o Boohoo, Turtle Neck - H&M, Jeans - ZARA, Boots - Forever 21
Wearing Hair Rehab Clip Ins - styled by The Blow

Oh how it's nice to be able to wear white jeans without looking a weeny bit loony. I miss lighter bottoms over the winter - I feel like I spend my life in black jeans and black leggings and black tights. Yeah, I love wearing black, but it's nice to go for something different every now and then. These jeans may still be in keeping with monochrome, but they definitely feel like more of a summery option. I now just need an amazing tan so that bronzed looked thighs peek through those ripped bits, rather than pasty, knobbly looking knees.

Other than fetching these jeans out of retirement, I'm pretty much same old same old here. Turtle neck, that coat I've spent half the last few months in and those boots that I've worn beyond repair. Mehhh - we all have favourites. Although I'm wearing my everyday sorta thing I do feel a million times more swishy with these hair extensions in. Think the long locks just finished it off nicely. They're not something I could wear every day (mostly because my hair spends half its life in screwed up bun on lazy days) but I love them for feeling a tad more 'put together'. 

P.S. I promise I'm not flying low with the zip on my trousers - they annoyingly bunch up making it look like I'm trying to flash my knicks. Marrrvelous. 

x
View Full Post
SHARE:

19 March 2015

MATCHING SETS & TEACUPS

Underwear Set - c/o Next, Teacup & Saucer - Vintage

Oh how it's nice to have underwear that actually matches. Now that's what I thought my 20s would be about - being generally more sorted, having good eyebrows & doing exciting stuff (aaand that's definitely not always the case..). This set is another little dream from Next that I'd been wanting to show you. It's got all that femininity in there, with a bit of extra padding to help my mosquito bites out - always appreciated. 

It's probably a bit random to throw my knicks in there with teacups, but this kind of ended up a culmination of newness. I say new, this teacup & saucer set is actually probably really old. I mentioned a couple of posts ago that I've been stalking antiques shops recently and this was one of my latest purchases. It wasn't expensive, just one that I liked the look of. Isn't it pretty? I guess it's a bit of a Lady Gaga sort of thaaang but it's just right for sipping greet tea and taking suitably pretentious Instagram pictures. Ha. You know the sort of thing.. my giant sized Me to You Bear mug just isn't half as photogenic. Mehhh! 

x
View Full Post
SHARE:

17 March 2015

HAIR EXTENSIONS?!

Hair Extensions - c/o Hair Rehab London (Colour - Supermodel Style)
Styled by The Blow

I never thought I'd be bothered about hair extensions again. I used to wear them way back as a 17 year old - all be it badly. Back then they were those straggly wefts that hadn't been around long, they never matched my hair colour and there wasn't a chance that they'd blend well. It'll probably be one of those periods in my life where I'll look back on pictures and think 'WHAT were you thinking?', but I guess we've all had these moments.

Since then I've grown my hair to a length I'm happy with and didn't really consider wearing hair extensions. After hearing a lot about the Hair Rehab ones (I'd been watching Lauren Pope's tutorials) I thought I'd give them a bash.. To my surprise I am totally sold. Can my hair just be like this all the time?! I can't believe how thick it is - my hair whilst being long is really fine, not that bouncy Beyoncé kinda thing I'd much prefer. It hangs like a limp lettuce and just generally doesn't do much. I've got just got the clip ins here which are more than thick enough to give my hair a good boost. I'm yet to try them and be able to fit the full set in - they're so chunky you don't really need to have a head packed with wefts. 

Here I've just had a wave put in by the lovely team at The Blow. Feeling Rapunzel like. I've also tried braiding them (that'll eventually go on YouTube when I get my editing hat on) and can't wait to see what they look like with a super straight, slick style. As much as I'd sometimes like to try something short and adventurous with my hair, I'm forever a fan of long, swishy locks. 

x
View Full Post
SHARE:

15 March 2015

HOW I EDIT MY INSTAGRAM PICTURES


Ow Instagram. It's like my guilty pleasure. Do I need to sit looking at supermodels being all fabulous while I tuck into my second Creme Egg? Nope. Do I still do it? Yup. Admittedly I'm that annoying person that's a little Instagram mad - I take pictures of bloody everything (I've even tried making a Subway sarnie look completely Insta chic.. fail), but I find it one of my favourite creative outlets. Yeah, it can be deemed a bit vain, but for me I just love all the faffing about with filters & making something look fancy.

The main app I go for when editing is VSCO Cam. It's free, has loads of different filters (I'm not a fan of the Instagram ones - they either make me look washed out or like I'm on a 70s TV show) and you can also edit all the usual bits and bobs - saturation, contrast etc. The vast majority of my pictures are with VSCO's A5 filter.. I find that one makes white bits look really white and zaps out any yellow tones. The other app I get asked about a lot is the one I use for borders, collages & making oblong pictures fit right.. For that I mostly go for Photogrid, but there are loads of similar ones out there that do the same stuff. I use it to pop borders on and for any of those mirror image pictures. I will also quickly mention my camera.. the Samsung NX Mini - while it's definitely not an essential I do find this really useful for snapping away and 90% of my Instagram pictures are taken on it. Having WIFI & NFC makes it easy to share shots to my phone and it has plenty of settings to help a gurrrl out with the selfies. Ha.  

Another little handy one I will add in is Latergram.me - basically the closest to scheduling that Instagram will allow.  You can schedule your post in advance, then you'll get a little notification to upload it as usual when it's due to go up. I know for some that's perhaps a bit of a con and stepping away from the whole point of it being instant, but it comes in handy when I'm at work and I've got a blog post I want to let people know about. There is a limit to how much you can use it for without having to pay for it, but if you are a real busy bee it's worth having a look at.

Aaaand that's about it. Phew. I know not everyone will find this sort of thing interesting and I don't really take Instagram that seriously.. at the end of the day it's just faffing about putting pictures on an app not winning the Nobel Peace Prize. I just thought it might be a good way to tick off a few questions. I've also popped the video I did in the summer which includes all the extra bits & bobs that I use when I'm getting my Instagram onnn. Right, I'm off for KFC noms with my lovely mamma.. And yes, it's likely I will be Instagramming that fried chicken goodness. 


x
View Full Post
SHARE:

14 March 2015

UNINTENTIONAL MATRIX VIBES & CONVERSE

Sunglasses - Magazine Freebie, Jumper - Primark, Coat - c/o Boohoo, Converse

This outfit is a bit like the kind of thing I've been stalking on Pinterest. With some Matrix vibes thrown in - that was unintentional on my part.. I think it's the sun gigs and the coat. It's the Converse I'd mainly been wanting to wear, despite all black errrthang having took over. I've had my Converse years. They probably edge on being a little too battered, but they're comfy and who wants Converse to look too perfect? I love how they look with something more smart.. It makes a nice change from the skinny jeans and tee look I used to opt for. I guess my style has developed to be more 'smart' over winter.. It's difficult to dress cutesy and girly when it's beyond freezing. I'm looking forward to ditzy print dresses over summer, but for now I'm happy with this kind of look. 

My photography skills have limited how much the trousers show up but they are pretty lovely in reality. They're like a brushed cotton, low waist and wide leg.. Just what I wanted for wearing dressed down with trainers. I still love Primark for basics. A lot of my most worn bits are the less trend focused options from them - simple tees, plain jeans I've ripped up a bit, basic work trousers.. Y'know the sort. 

x
View Full Post
SHARE:

12 March 2015

THE MOCK BOB

Jumper - New Look Mens

So, I've been having that usual girl problem when you suddenly decide you want to lop off all your hair but know you can't actually brave up to doing it. I've always had long hair and while it's probably a bit boring I can't imagine being without it. For now I just have the odd lusting sesh over those fabulously blunt bobs.. Resulting in me attempting to recreate the look without the scissors. Here I've just got all my hair tucked into this jumper and while it doesn't quite pass off as a 'proper' bob I think it gives a similar effect.. Plus I've lived doing this kind of thing over winter - it's extra cosy on chilly days.

That jumper is actually from the New Look Mens range but it was way too lovely for me to miss out on. I love how chunky it looks with the big, thick roll neck. That's probably the only thing I'll be missing about the colder season. What am I going to wear when it's too warm for high neck jumpers?! 

X
View Full Post
SHARE:

10 March 2015

CULOTTES & ANTIQUES TRIPS

Hair - The Blow, Scarf - Boohoo, Jacket - c/o Oh My Love London, White Tee - Primark, Culottes - Primark, Boots - c/o Dorothy Perkins 

To be honest, this outfit was 'mehhh'. Nothing too swish or majorly on trend, just comfort for a quick trip out round the antiquesy places. It was a couple of weeks back now (forever finding snaps lurking in iPhoto that I completely forgot about), just after I'd had my hair done at The Blow.. I'd managed to make the plaits last overnight and quickly shoved it in a ponytail. I've since tried replicating that big chunky braid and mine are just nowhere near as good.. Back to the YouTube tutorials to practise ha.

Here I mostly wanted to get my culottes worn. I just cannot work out how to wear them while it's still cold.. Any ideas?! I'm not sure if tights will look totally ridiculous and I'm definitely too much of a wimp to brave them with bare legs. I'm hoping I can still wear them over spring/summer without looking like I'm beyond late to the culottes party.

I'm currently on the hunt for a camel/grey long coat that will last me for winters beyond - hence the trip to a few vintage spots. I want something good quality, but seeing as I'm forever doing things cheap I also want a bargain. I've seen loads of beautiful ones but up to now they've all been tent like on me. Along the way I did manage to pick up a few teacups & some other little trinkets for the house I will one day own (right now I can maybe afford a brick..). I love going round these places jam packed full of every kind of antique. The initialed suitcases were my favourites.. I like getting a little carried away wondering who E.M.N might have been!

x
View Full Post
SHARE:
© Fashion Influx | UK FASHION BLOG. All rights reserved.
BLOGGER TEMPLATE CREATED BY pipdig