Ripped Jeans and Biker Boots

I would feel pretty confident in saying that I am quite a girly girl. I have almost always had super long blonde hair and being a makeup artist I adore putting a full face on every morning and getting dolled up.

However I am not always a lover of very girly clothes and prints, or at least by themselves. I like to have a bit of an edge and a contrast to my outfits.

My newest addition to harden things up a bit are these biker boots from boohoo. Paired with a cute skater dress and a leather jacket they look perfect. Or over the top of skinny jeans and a plain tee I just love them!  

Another look that I am loving is ripped jeans to make an outfit a bit more edgy. Being rather on the short side at only 5 ft 2 inches, I do sometimes struggle with buying jeans. They are usually either too long, too large on my waist, too tight on my hips or too short. Nightmare! So instead of spending a few frustrated days in the changing room I decided to take my old pair of trusty Topshop Leigh jeans and customise them. They had been destined for the rubbish bag after being splashed with bleach after a busy day working in the salon but this now can just add to the charm surely? That's what I'm telling myself!

A pair of scissors, some satisfying ripping and 10 minutes later I had a new pair of jeans.

I like to wear them with my biker boots above, some converse or heels on a night out.

Revlon Colorburst Matte Balm Review

I recently treated myself to one of the fairly new Revlon Colorburst lipsticks in the colour Showy... despite the fact that I already have far too many pinks in my collection (I just can't help myself!).

I'm already a big fan of these giant crayon like lipsticks, having a few of the Clinique chubby sticks in my makeup bag which I use regularly, but I was immediately impressed with the texture and application of this balm.

Revlon's smoothed on easily with great colour pay off straight away and really is a true matte.

Six hours on after applying it on the train this morning, after drinks and a bite to eat, it was doing pretty well. The shade had lightened slightly but was definitely still noticeable and not looking to move anytime soon. It also hasn't felt drying at all on my lips, which can be a downfall for me with matte lipsticks so that is a huge plus.

I have a good feeling about these staying in my makeup kit for a while and I think I'll be buying a few more shades!

Pink Leather Jackets

I wear my trusty Michael Kors leather jacket all the time. Even now with its tears and rips in the shoulder and sleeve I adore it. Secretly I like to think it makes me look like an actual hardcore biker  :) But it goes with absolutely everything and ages so well. 

Whilst browsing the internet after pay day I spotted this beauty from River Island.

I was so close to just clicking add to basket instantly but decided to be sensible and have a think first. I am slightly in love but want to make sure that I could give it as much attention as my black one.

What do you all think? Pink leather jacket fans? I've just read on Essie Button's blog that she is wearing one non stop. To buy or not to buy....

The Hailobraid

I really enjoy styling my hair, I always have done. It's so fun to experiment with different looks and to play around trying to compliment a new outfit or a particular makeup. This is part of the reason that I have mostly kept my hair as long as possible. I can be my own dolls head!
The past week however, I have been really busy and haven't had the time to play in the morning or do a big bouncy blow-dry. So my go to look has been the hailobraid.
This has been in my repertoire of styles for quite a while. Anything that makes me look remotely boho-chic or like Sienna Miller then I am game.
But with all the recent exposure and with gorgeous bloggers such as Zoella and Suzie from Hello October rocking the plaits it reminded me just how cute they can look.
Also it is perfectly quick, taking a whole two minutes to complete but looks far more complicated and impressive than it actually is....bonus. I woke up like this :)

Bumble and Bumble Cityswept Finish

This week I had the pleasure of trying out one of Bumble and Bumble's new products. In general I have a lot of love for this range and have used their styling products many times backstage at fashion shows and on shoots. So I must admit I was pretty excited when the Cityswept Finish arrived.
My initial thoughts were how much I liked the matte navy blue bottle with the silver lettering. It looks very current and on trend and would sit very nicely on display in my room.
I am pleased to say that my impressions continued to be good and I wasn't disappointed.
After a few sprays throughout, lifting my hair as they advice to for my length, I was left with a super tousled mane with lots of body and a sexy lived- in look. It also adds some shine to the hair unlike most texturising sprays which was a bonus as it is hard being blonde to get away from the matte and dry look.
I had a wave in my hair that day anyway but it really helped to re-work the style and give it that un-done look which I like. Even by the evening, before after work drinks, I just shook my hair upside down, scrunched the ends and massaged the roots and there was no need for any more product.

The only negative for me was the next day I seemed to be able to really feel the build-up of the spray and my hair looked a little lack lustre. Although I do love to wash it at least every other day anyway and even though I enjoy rocking the casual, lived in style I don't actually want it to be lived in at all....so maybe thats why! Hard to please I know ;)

Deliciously Ella - My New Obsession

Like most of us girls I do have the tendency to be a bit of a yo-yo dieter. Never to the extremes, but I go through phases of being totally motivated to be healthy and get fit and then one piece of chocolate cake at a time I slowly remember how much I love the forbidden tastes and slip back into bad habits..it's easily done!
However, without fail I then feel majorly disappointed in myself for ruining my hard work.

Recently though I have realised that as much as I enjoy to fit into my 'skinny' jeans and love the 'have you lost weight?' comments, whenever I have been on a health kick I really do notice the difference in my skin, hair, energy levels and mental wellbeing too.

It's amazing how different you can feel and I was reminded of this by discovering the Deliciously Ella blog and now app!

Her story is incredible and it does make a lot of sense how natural, un-processed foods can be so good for you and easy to digest. Plus her recipes all look so blooming yummy!

I have the past week stocked up and filled my kitchen with all of Ella's essentials.

Here are some of my creations:

Gluten free pasta with a tomato, basil and green pepper topping

Roasted butternut squash with dried cranberries and quinoa

Baked Banana, Blueberry and Raisin Oatmeal....so amazing!

Sweet potato, tenderstem broccoli with chilli flakes and Ella's red pepper and paprika hummus

I have also been regularly making Ella's raw brownies which I am now totally addicted too...in fact I have a batch setting in the freezer right now...exciting times!

Pretty Spring Mermaid Nails

I think my fascination with mermaids stemmed from my primary school days where I was given the part as a mermaid in our play as I had extremely long wavy hair! Next came the dolls and the film Splash and I still love the idea of them today.

As you may already be able to tell I enjoy playing around with my nail colours and recently I'm loving combining different ones.

My newest look I am naming The Mermaid. I started off by painting my nails in two coats of Sheraton Street by Nails Inc. and then used a layer of Hornton Street over the top.

The result is a stunning iridescent green/blue which I reckon looks like the scales on a mermaids tail.

Shades of pink, purple, blue and pearly white shine through in different lights...super pretty!
I shall be wearing it today in this lovely Spring weather we are finally having :)

Hope you like it <3