Saturday 27 September 2014

REVIEW: Empress Nails

Hello! I picked these nails up in my local Boots because I adored the pattern. I had never worn fake nails before because I have never seen the point really especially when I enjoy painting my own nails.

With an antiseptic wipe included and easy peel off backs application was very easy. However, I have quite small hands which meant that I didn't use the biggest nail size because it looked ridiculous.

-This was taken after a few days of wear hence why the nails tips are turning white-

I put the nails on and proceeded to cut them down as they were way too long. I cut the nails down to pretty much my natural length leaving them to look like nail stickers rather than fake nails which suited me more.

What I have found difficult is doing anything with my hair as it gets caught in gaps around the edges of the nails. Maybe this is because I didn't stick them down properly? But I can imagine them being a bit impractical.

Having worn them for a few days I have received many compliments on them and I do really enjoy the look of them but it is difficult to find outfits to go with them because they are so bold!

Have you tried these nails before?

Ellie xx

LFWEND Day 1+4 AW14

Hello! Here are my Days 1 and 4 of London Fashion Weekend. I can't remember if I said but I wasn't able to attend all the days due to work commitments but I had a great time nonetheless.

For those of you who don't know London Fashion Weekend is an opportunity for the public to get a taste of what it would be like to experience London Fashion Week. When you buy your ticket it usually encompasses three things; a tote bag, shopping and a catwalk show. Having been for two years the tote bags are honestly SO worth it and the catwalk and shopping are something special.


Arriving at London Victoria..




I began each day looking around the shopping areas. There were some beautiful pieces, in particular the Celine leather and Vivienne Westwood scarves really caught my eye..


As mentioned above the beautiful Celine leather pieces..


Burberry Trench *swoon*


I had never heard of this designer before but the collection was made up of some amazing, glamorous evening wear such as the lazer cut piece seen below



I fell in love with this shark tooth ring and may have made a purchase..


These flower garlands were so pretty for a festival or garden party. The traders are always really knowledgeable and were showing people how to do some really chic hairstyles with the bands.



Coat-Next
Top-H&M
Jeans- Topshop
Shoes-Birkenstocks (obviously)
Sunglasses- Topshop

(Sorry no outfit post for the other day but I wore pattern trousers from Mango, Birkenstocks, an over-sized white shirt from ASOS, pink coat as seen above from Next and a Vivienne Westwood necklace)


On Sunday I went to the Trend Catwalk show which was really great. The show was split into four trends; One and Only, Candy Crush, Jungle Fever and Fairy Tale Ending. I particularly enjoyed Jungle Fever with its palette of greens and and animal prints.


To finish a very exciting day I headed to Starbucks for an Iced Mocha.


I had a really great time at London Fashion Weekend. The whole event is such an enjoyable experience, I'll booking a ticket for next season!


Ellie xx 

Thursday 25 September 2014

REVIEW: Liz Earle Skin Repair Moisturiser (Normal/Combination)

As you know from my other Liz Earle review, I am a huge fan of the cleanse and polish. Because of this, I had high expectations for this product. Unfortunately I was left quite disappointed. This one was specifically for normal/combination skin- brilliant I thought, this is the exact category my skin falls under. I found this product didn't skin into my skin very well and was far to rich to go under make-up.


I tried applying at at night, but when I woke up my skin just felt really greasy. Strange when this is mean to be for combination skin. Also I'm not a huge fan of the smell so that has kind of put me off this even more.


Sorry Liz Earle, I am a lover of the cleanse and polish but sadly this product just didn't do it for me.

Have you tried this product? What do you think?

Ellie xx

Friday 19 September 2014

REVIEW: Pitcairn, Chichester Festival Theatre

I was given the opportunity to go and see Pitcairn and review the show at Chichester Festival Theatre. I love Chichester as a town for super shopping but also love the theatre and I have seen many great shows there.


Pitcairn was in the Minerva Theatre, which is smaller and more intimate than the main theatre. The show portrays the colonisation of a remote island called Pitcarin by a group of mutineers lead by Fletcher Christian. Their aim was to escape capture by the British Navy and to establish a new utopian society based on the ideology of their leader that all men are equals. The play is a grown up Lord of The Flies, and because of this the outcome didn't really shock me.

The men were not alone on the island. They had brought over five Fijian women, which made for crude comments and sexual references throughout. I'm not a prude by any means but I don't think these references added to the plot.

Chichester Festival Theatre is right to push theatrical boundaries, but it has to be with a play worthy of this. I think it is encouraging to see more abstract theatre being performed, but I did get the sense that the plot had sort of run away with the sexual references which is a shame as the story is so famous. I always enjoy the experience of going to the theatre, the atmosphere and the staff are always so welcoming. It's just a shame the show didn't quite live up to my high expectations.

Ellie xx

P.S. The ice-cream at Chichester Festival Theatre is so yummy- the coffee flavour is just perfection.

Wednesday 17 September 2014

Exciting Announcement!

I'm so excited to say that I will be at London Fashion Weekend blogging! Literally a dream come true- anything to do with fashion week is amazing so I'm really looking forward to going.

For those of you who don't know LFWend is open to the public, so people who haven't been lucky enough to get a personal invite to a show at the actual London Fashion Week get the chance to go and have a look round and see a catwalk show. I went last year and had a really great time so I can't wait to go again :)

Expect my next post to be very fashion based hehe ..

Ellie xx

Saturday 13 September 2014

Book Review: The Perks Of Being A Wallflower By Stephen Chbosky

Oh my where to start with this book. This book is honestly my favorite book of all time. It is simply fantastic. I haven't seen the film so I have yet to compare the two but I really help the film does the book justice.

(P.S how cute is the cover art?!) 

The book is written though a series of letters written by Charlie to a person who the reader only sees addressed as 'Friend'. Charlie is a freshmen starting College but has been struggling after the death of Aunt. He is an introverted and character but he makes some good friends who take him on a journey of self discovery through the maze of adolescence. Through these letters the reader learns all about Charlie's life, his friends, his family and his teachers.

The book is far from your average high school tale and contains an almighty twist which will leave you stunned. I believe this is the type of novel which will transcend time, it is applicable to those of all ages, to anyone who has ever felt like they don't quite fit in. 

I would recommend this book to anyone.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Ellie x

Thursday 11 September 2014

REVIEW: Decleor DD Cream SPF 30


Hey guys, here is another summer favorite I have been enjoying. As you know I am a huge fan of SPF but finding a dencent SPF to either wear under make-up or which doesn't give you a weird sort of white cast on your face can be not only difficult but expensive. Yes I know this is a DD cream, another twist in what seems to be the ongoing production of alphabet products .. BB,CC, DD .. EE?! But I really do think this one is pretty special.



Now this product is by no means cheap but it has 100% mineral UV screens and is of an high SPF indensity so would only really be needed in the summer months or times of intense sun exposure, meaning that a cheaper product with less SPF can be used in the winter. 


The formula is quite liquid and slightly tinted, although this tint converts into any coverage on the skin. Unlike other tinted products which contain SPF the DD cream glides really nicely over the skin and doesn't clog pores and cling to dry patches. It is sented which for some may be an absolute no but I actually really love the smell, It's almost slightly sun creamy so very reminiscent of holidays.


I found this product worked well undearneath my Bare Minerals mineral make up which was really all I wore thought summer. The product claims to leave skin looking matte, something I would dispute. I would worn people with really oily skin to maybe steer clear as it might make you look very shiny but for others I think it would work really well.

If I was lucky enough to have gone away to some hot and exotic location this product would definatly have been in my travel make-up brand. The slight tint and the high SPF rating really makes it a summer make-up bag staple.

What do you think? Have you tried this DD cream? 

Ellie xx

Monday 8 September 2014

Applying to University

So you have made the decision to apply to university. Maybe you still aren't sure about what you want to do and just want to see what's out there, or maybe you know down to the exact moduals you want to take. Either way applying to University is very stressful. Trust me I know from experience. There are so many things to think about; what could I see myself spending three years of my life studying? Where do I want to go? What do I see as being achievable goals for my grades and what the bloody hell is UCAS?

This is 2/2 posts on Universities. I hope it answers some of the questions I wish I had been able to ask when I was applying to Uni earlier this year as I know the season of applications is fast approaching. Unfortunately I can only speak on behalf of the UK's application process to Universities in the UK as that's all I've done.

Firstly the whole application process for University goes through a site called UCAS which processes every applicant's application.

The whole process I roughly split up into a number of stages:

1. Deciding on a subject or subject field you'd like to study.

2. Register on UCAS and begin filling in your details

3. The hardest part- Begin writing your Personal Statement

4. Choose the 5 Universities you want to apply to

5. When all has been checked, and double checked press submit and wait for those offers to start rolling in.

1. What at school really floats your boat? Do you love poetry and reading books or do you love physics and the way the world works? There are so many courses out there there is something for everyone. Some courses allow you to combine even the most unlikely subjects so really have a good think about what you consider spending three years of your life and spending thousands of pounds doing .

2. You've decided and you are going to study History and Politics because you have a real interest to further your knowledge in both of those areas. Now you need to register on UCAS, if you don't do this then you can't apply to University so its fair to say its a very important step. One of the major parts of your application process is to fill in your personal details. This step takes a while but it is important that everything is correct. If you're unsure you are filling in something correctly, speak to a teacher or someone who deals with University/Higher Education and careers at your college.

3. This step is by far the hardest part. A good personal statement will help you get a place at your first choice  University. But a great personal statement could save you if you miss the grades at your first choice. This is your chance to really sell yourself- not boast, but highlight why you out of all the thousands of applicants are the most suitable for this course. What work experience do you have which you can link to your course? What has been your favorite part of your college syllabus and link it to your degree course. What further reading have you done around your subject? I think I may do a post just on writing your personal statement because there is so much I could say!

4. Where do you want to go? It's a hard decision to make but you are able to apply for 5 courses. I would say take a long, hard look at the grades you are expected to achieve. It is good to have aspirations but don't be delusional. It makes no sense to apply to Cambridge if you are expected to get CCC. Its harsh but true and ultimately just leads to a wasted application and disappointment for you. What I will say though is DO NOT base your choices on League Tables. League tables can be misleading, make sure you are doing to exact course you want before looking at the Uni. Think about it, yes it sounds great if you can say you are going to one of the top 3 universities for your subject but if you hate the course it is just not worth it.

5. When you have completely filled in all your personal details on UCAS, you have written a kick-ass personal statement and you have chosen 5 Uni courses your are really excited by it is time to press submit and let the Universities do the hard work.

When I applied to Uni I was one of the first people in my year to receive all 5 of my offers purely because my application was in so early. I truly believe that getting your application in early, with a good personal statement is really key.

GOOD LUCK!

El x

Thursday 4 September 2014

To Go Or Not To Go? The University Debate

The time has come. As gradually students are going back to school and college one of the big decisions you have to make is not long off. Going to University is a big decision and a huge investment. For some there has never been another option and have always known that university is the thing for them. But for others who aren't quite so lucky or certain about their position the whole concept of university is, to say the least, daunting.

It is so hard to know if university is for you. Even people who were 100% sure they were going to university have been known to drop out because they hate their course or their uni or their housemates. 

If you are having this doubts, as I did myself, something I found really helpful was to make a table of pros and cons. By writing out all my opinions about University or 'Other' I was able to see what I was leaning towards. Here are some general example which maybe you could ask yourself.

UNI:
- Could Uni help my chances of a better Job when I leave? 
- Despite the debt it's something I've always wanted to do and I'm very motivated to study a certain subject in further detail.
- The social aspect really appeals to me, living away from home and meeting new people is a huge part of growing up 
- If I don't go I feel like I'm missing out.
- I don't really know what I want to do in terms of a job so having three years to figure things out will shed some more light on what I really want to do.

OTHER:
- By getting a full time job I am stepping onto the career ladder.
- I'm saving myself the huge debt that comes with Uni, money which I could put towards a course or starting my own company.
- As I'm not a particularly academic person I think I'd benefit more from an internship.
- I've never been that keen to go for social or academic reasons.
- I'm not particularly motivated to keep on my academic learning. I'd rather learn through experience.

Ultimately though only you can make the decision. It's so hard but don't be pressured into applying by school, parents or friends because you are the one who needs to pass the exams, something you won't do if you hate it. But also be wise about your decision. For some careers a degree is important to factor that in when you are making your decision. 

Ellie xx


Wednesday 3 September 2014

London Trip: Jersey Boys

A few weeks a go a very food friend and I went up to London to see Jersey Boys. A show we had both been dying to see. We had such a lovely day just browsing around and I know I'm only young, and I have by no means visited a huge amount of cities but I think London will always be my favorite city in the world. I just love the vibe and the concept of a fast paced metropolitan life style really appeals to me.



Our first point of call was to go to the Hummingbird Bakery in Soho. I have been before but my friend Nicole hadn't so it was a long overdue visit. I had a really yummy Red Velvet cupcake which I did enjoy despite it being quite sweet.


We spent the afternoon pottering around we went down to Covent Garden and had a walk around there. I don't think any purchases were made which is certainly rather unsual. I think the majority of our money went of food which is pretty typical.


We couldn't decide where to do for dinner but we were rather taken by the look of Jamie's Pop-Up Diner which was only round the corner of the theatre. I had a chicken burger with extra avocado which was really nice but nothing like as good as GBK. 

After we were suitably full and had some time to kill we decided to walk back towards Covent Garden as on our way there we had seen them setting up for the Inbetweeners 2 premier. It was quite an excited atmosphere but nothing like how I imagine the premier of say a Harry Potter or a new Hunger Games film would be. We didn't see anyone of any real celebrity apart from Craig Davis who plays the headmaster- he is so tall! 


We then made our way to the theatre and found our seats. Of course I couldn't take any pictures in the show but it was SO good. I had the most amazing time, all the songs are just classics and I think I had pretty much heard of all of them! 

If you are in London definatly go and see the show it really is fab.

Ellie xx

Tuesday 2 September 2014

REVIEW: The Body Shop Hemp Foot Protector

Hello everyone! Instead of doing an August Favorites I thought I do some individual product review as that means I can go more in depth about each product.

Although the summer in England hasn't lasted very long and is pretty much over, I still enjoy wearing my sandals. As you will have noticed from my OOTDs my Birkenstocks regularly feature and they continue to be my favorite purchase of the summer.

But, when wearing sandals a bit of foot maintainence is pretty vital so hence why I have been loving the Body Shop Hemp Foot Protector.



The cream is very thick and is slightly green in colour. I first generously applied this too my feet after an evening in heels and went to bed with it on. In the morning my feet were so soft and moisturied almost like having a mini pedicure. The heels of my feet, and I'm sure I'm not alone in this, can get quite dry but this foot treatment has meant that dry heels are a thing of the past! Despite how much I love it I'm not a huge fan of the smell- when applied though I can barely smell it. I think it just comes down to personal taste and I know some people who adore the smell of hemp.

*Just a quick side note on the topic of feat. I had my toes painted with a Shellac varnish in a beautiful slate grey and I have to say I've been really enjoying it. The varnish hasn't chipped despite being about 3 weeks old and is still so glossy. I guess the only real disadvantage to Shellac is that it is a nightmare to take of so I'll have to report back to that one. 

So, I'd highly recommend this if your feet are long over due some TLC following a night out or just to treat yourself on a night in. 

Ellie xx