River Island White Shirt Collar Bib

Isn't this such a good idea?

 I have never seen this in shops before but when I walked into River Island and saw it I was taken aback. 

The collar was £10 and the size of it is big enough to cover even the deepest of shirt necks, successfully covering up to your shoulders. 

The material is a good quality, thick white cotton, and has gold spiked stud buttons to decorate. Luckily it is one size fits all! 

I have found it to be a great use under all types of tight jumpers were wearing blouses or shirts underneath would be too uncomfortable.

Under a jumper it looks exactly like a plain white shirt- no one will be able to tell it is just a collar!

What do you think of it?

The 7 Habits Of Highly Effective People

By starting sixth form this year I have had so much more work to do, and have had to learn manage my spare time better, in order to get everything done.
Whilst reading different blogs I recently came across a post that summaries the key points behind 'The 7 Habits of Highly effective people' book- I was instantly interested.

This book most importantly talks about how to get the right things done, and that our greater goal should be in our minds everyday. 

Summarised here are the 7 key points of the book:

1)Be Proactive

Take responsibility for you choices and stop blaming everything else in your life. You can control your reaction to the events in your life.

2)Begin With The End In Mind

Think about how you want to be remembered by people- honest, courageous, caring- 

and keep them in mind

3)Put First Things First

Don't get caught up by urgent dramas happening day by day and do things that are important to you

4)Think Win/Win

Real success does not happen at the expense of others. A win for everyone is definitely better than a win for one person.Think karma!

5)First Try To Understand, Then To Be Understood

Listen and be genuinely interested in people. This will make people listen and be interested to you.

6)Synergise

When you work with other people to create win/win situations, you will be able to achieve greater goals you wouldn't have been able to achieve on your own.

7)Sharpen The Saw

We need to stay 'sharp' by being physically and mentally fit, taking time to rest and to look after ourselves.

It is now on my must read list, but sadly I don't think I will be able to get round to it for a while. I have to finish all my work first.

One must prioritise after all.

Have you heard of, or read this book before? Let me know in the comments below!

xx

Shhh...10 Beauty hacks

Hack- A clever solution to a tricky problem

1) Use lemon juice to get rid of discolouration on nails by brushing it on with a nail brush, and then rinsing with water.

2) To fix a broken powder or eye shadow, put some rubbing alcohol on it and tap the mixture down with a spatula. Let it dry overnight and it will look like new in the morning!

3) To help remove surface stains on teeth, brush them with baking soda.

4) Apply Vaseline to eyelashes to condition and even lengthen them! Some swear by it to make lashes fuller, and thicker.

5) Before applying mascara dip a Q-tip in baby powder and run across your lashes. The mascara will then attach to the lashes, making them thicker and longer.

6) Use white eyeliner to accentuate your cupid's brow by drawing a 'V' above the centre of your lips. You can also use it in the inner rim of your eye to make you look more awake, and your eyes bigger.

7) Put Vaseline on pulse points before applying perfume to make the scent last longer

8) Massage almond oil into cuticles and nails to help battle brittle nails and flaky hands.

9) Run out of shaving cream? Just use your conditioner to shave instead!

10) To remove excess lipstick and avoid getting it on your teeth, stick your finger in your mouth and pull it out.

xx

A Day In Alton Towers

I love big rides. The scarier the better. Last week I spent a great day in the park and went on pretty much all of the rides (apart from the oblivion :( , we ran out of time!).  Going there I have picked up a few words of advice to share with you, so here goes:

1- Do the X-sector last! Start with gentler rides such as Thirteen or Air to build up the experience. When me and my friend went on the smiler I didn't even notice it was going upside down!

2-Thirteen- Many people were scared of the drops on the ride but you can hardly feel them- they are in the dark. The first one is tiny, and then there is a bigger one next, followed by getting pushed backwards on the ride.

3- Sonic Spinball is the scariest ride I went on! Seriously. Even if it is advertised as a kids ride the way the the cart keeps spinning and the unpredictability of it all made me do the whole ride with my eyes shut and screaming. Not for the faint hearted.

4- The River Rapids are definitely a ride for the whole family, however people that suffer from seasickness should avoid. Some people escaped completely dry from the river rapids but I got soaked on them. It was a massive splash from the river which went over my head and only hit me! Obviously it got all of my friends laughing, but left me not very happy. At least in the end they got drenched by some people with water pistols. Thank you non-riders with a good aim.

5- There are so many places and things to eat there so don't worry about food! We went on the Runaway mine train and all I could smell was the delicious pasta and pizza coming from the restaurant. Also the smell of doughnuts was persistent throughout the park :)

6- Air was really one of my surprise favourite rides. The thought of getting thrown around on the roller coaster while lying down looked terrifying, but once on you couldn't feel it at all. It was actually a relaxing experience even.

7- Rita is the shortest ride we went on, but the most intense. It left some of us feeling a bit sick as it is the fastest ride; a blink and you miss it type. Queues can also be quite long for it.

8- The cable cars are the best way to get around. Sometimes they did seem like a ride itself as they can jiggle around a bit too much, but it saves you a lot of effort from walking to one place to another. The staff there are also very helpful and give you great indications to get around!

9- Take warm clothes with you and good footwear! I cannot stress this enough as it is often not lovely weather in Alton, plus you don't want to be worrying about taking off your shoes when you go on a ride.

10- The staff in the park really deserve as they are some of the most helpful and funniest people to be around. They will mock, act crazy, and even sing and dance, but create an amazing atmosphere which is the true soul of the park.

Do you like theme parks? Share your experiences below!

Old Hollywood Star Looks

Ever wondered what secrets the Hollywood divas had to maintain their looks? Marilyn had her dewy skin, Audrey her baby-doll eyes and Katherine her clear complexion- all obtained through using simple tips and tricks which are easily achievable even now. Read on :)

Marilyn Monroe
She was famous for her Hollywood glow, which she maintained using a hormone cream. She layered that and powder foundation on top of each other to create a radiant base that shimmered on camera. The downside was she grew a fine layer of peachy-blonde hair over her face, which she was encourage to shave off but refused.
Get the look by mixing a pearlascent primer with a liquid foundation.




Audrey Hepburn
She was the Queen of the baby-doll look with a slick of liquid eye liner to create a feline flick, and a fine layer of mascara on the upper lashes. There is a rumour that she got her lashes so natural looking by separating them with a pin after applying mascara- ouch!
Get the look by using a mascara that allows you to build volume and a pen eye liner to make drawing the flick easier.




Marlene Dietrich
This German actress bravely shaved off all of her eyebrows and drew them on with a kohl pencil everyday, obtaining perfectly shaped brows. She never used mascara on her bottom lashes as she thought they cast a shadow creating the look of dark circles.
Get the look by defining your brows accentuating their natural shape. Fill them with powder or a brow mascara.




Vivien Leigh
Her perfect complexion was due to her customised skincare regime which used hand-mixed aromatic oils which also was common with English royalty.
Get the look by treating your skin to an aromatic facial. Run a clean flannel under a hot tap, applying relaxing essential oils such as lavender or tea tree, and place on your face to steam. Blast your face with cold water and pat dry. Massage a face oil or cream in to moisturise.

Greta Garbo
Her famous eye make-up was created with a thin layer of petroleum jelly over the lids, covered with skin-tone powder, and blended a darker shade in the crease to create deep-set eyes.
Get the look by using a good eye primer and a shimmery eye shadow.





Bette Davis
Her eyes were legendary- but how did she keep them that way? The simple method of placing cucumbers on her eyes and applying petroleum jelly under her eyes every night to protect against puffiness and dark circles.
Get the look by protecting the under eye area with eye cream and also applying cumber still works!

Grace Kelly
Her classic beauty was emphasised by an easy make-up trick. The illusion of high cheek bones was created by contouring her face with two different shades of blusher.
Get the look by using a blusher and a bronzer to shade and define your face.






Sophia Loren
This Italian actress used olive oil to stay beautiful. She included at least 2 tablespoons of oil in her food everyday, rubbed a small amount into her face and added a few capfuls to a hot bath for a nourishing soak.
Get the look by using olive oil as a great natural moisturiser for your body, or buy olive oil based products.







Katherine Hepburn
She kept her complexion in top condition by exfoliating regularly. She massaged a mixture of sugar, warm water and lemon juice into her skin followed up with a splash of cold water to tighten the pores.
Get the look by exfoliating just like her!

What's your favourite tip then? Comment below! xx

Spring/Summer 2014 Inspiration

This is the time of year when I am most happy as spring has finally 'sprung'. Goodbye to scarves, hats and coats, because we can finally wear all the nice new season clothes we have been yearning after. There are some trends I look forward to more than others, here they are:

Soft silky fabrics.............. just what I was missing after a cold winter season. The flattering prints are ultra-feminine and I think are ideal for a sunny weekend. 

 Big statement accessories and florals are staples that bring outfits to life. Watch out for when sparkles are added to the mix because that is when it becomes a killer combination!

Prim pastels are also anther staple that is around when the weather gets warmer. They are used everywhere lately and look their best when contrasted with bright shades.

 Every year I've made it kind or a habit to buy myself a new pair of sunnies. Transparent, leopard, round, there are so many types to suit different outfits and moods I just can't get enough of them!

One trend I'm glad doesn't go away and is there every year is stripes. What would I do without my trusty Breton top and jeans? It is definitely my outfit to go to.

Metallics is such a cool trend I really need to try and embrace. It adds impact to any outfits and even little details of it can make an outfit look glamorous. Lace is also everywhere, making outfits look delicate and detailed.

Band tees.......what better way to make people know your favourite band? I especially love these as they can be amazing conversation starters, and can even be dressed up.

So, what trends do you love the most from the sunny seasons? Comment below!

Christmas in Naples

How does it manage to be so sunny in full winter?

Have you all had a nice Christmas? I can tell you I have, as I went to spent it and New Year's with my family in Naples. If there is something I love about that place, it has to be the chaotic markets, the food and the beautiful landscapes which are framed by the persistent sunshine.

this seagull was just demanding to be photographed

Especially in the festive period the narrow streets are bursting of tourists exploring the market and shops, hunting for something special to take back with them. Pasta, Neapolitan playing cards, or different ornaments, they really have anything to suit everyone taste. The markets are also bursting with stalls that sell different books for a total steal.

Different musicians entertain in the piazza while you can sit and enjoy some nice food in the restaurants close-by. The cakes are sooo heavenly and you have to eat the pizza there too, as Naples is the home of it. 

mmmmmmm.........pizza

However I also love all the art they sell there as its full of rich colours, and many street artists are fantastic. Too bad I couldn't fit a print in my luggage, or I would have bought a couple!

All The Small Things

There are so many things we do during the festive season, but maybe because of families and friends, school and/or work, or general procrastination, you never have enough time to add all the little details you would want to add to things.  This year I have tried to try different things for Christmas, here's my list:

Be more creative
I usually wrap things up with the usual wrapping paper every year, so this time I decided to be different. I decided to give one of my friends a memorable Christmas present by wrapping it up in Iron Man comics. Obviously photocopied and not real. Anyway she loved it.

Then I had bought a present for a friend but later walked into another shop and found a scarf I knew she would absolutely love. What did I do? I gave her both presents, using the scarf to wrap the first one up.     2-in-1.

Embellish
I love the festive sparkle. I have tried to embellish dull looking blouses with some sort of beads or lace or pretty material. I like to vary the beads in size,so different focus points can be given to the piece of clothing.

Statement jewellery is so now and can really refresh your wardrobe, so I made my own necklace to wear with my favourite warm winter jumpers. And yes, I do love pearls. 

Tree decorations 

I am really trying hard to get in with the Christmas spirit this year so I made a couple of decorations to put on the tree.........

How d'you like them?

Inspiration from London

Doing a GCSE in Art I am on the search for constant inspiration to move my project on and to complete my book. Last week I went to visit the Saatchi and National Gallery,walking from one to another (Chelsea-Trafalgar Square!) embracing the cold British winter weather on the way. By the time I got to the National Gallery it was getting dark so I decided to take some touristy photos too :)

The artwork in both places was beautiful. The Saatchi now has the body language exhibition,some of my favourite were:

Makiko Kudo had an obvious anime influence to his artwork which showcased different seasons

Denis Tarasov wanted to remember those died in the war with his photography

This was just creepy. It's by Eddie Martinez and I think he took some inspiration from Ronald McDonald for that clown.

This old lady wasn't part of the exhibition but I loved her. The detail and the way she is portrayed as a wool ball is just so amusing.

The National gallery had paintings by some of the greatest artists in the world, like Michelangelo and Caravaggio and allowed you to see something that you wouldn't be able to see everyday.

I suggest you go and visit both galleries if you have a chance as they have something to suit everyone.