Monthly Archives: September 2016

Thoughts on False Nails

30th September 2016
I’m not usually one to bother with my nails- I used to, and don’t get me wrong there is nothing more satisfying than a fresh manicure but after six years of working in healthcare in a role that requires short, neat and naked nails I’ve kind of fallen out of the routine.
Obviously having not been in work now since April I’ve had time to experiment a bit more- initially in the form of a bright and beautiful shellac, but as time went on and money dwindled a DIY manicure has had to suffice. So it was with great delight that I was sent a whole heap of products from KISS which gave me a chance to experience salon style at home.

All products c/o Kiss*

Up until now my experience with false nails has been limited to just once or twice. I’ve always thought they weren’t for me as my nails (well my thumb nails) are broad and the one time I did try them I had lost half a set by lunch time. Still, I was prepared to give things another shot, KISS is one of the leading brands out there so I was confident that if anyone could change my mind it would be them.

And to an extent they did. Pictured on my hand is the imPRESS press on manicure which could not be easier to apply. You simply match up the nail size, remove the tab and press on your nail. I didn’t have high hopes for these but I made it over 24 hours without losing one and the length was perfect for someone who isn’t used to having long nails. I preferred the pretty nail art designs to the french manicure style- that looked a little too false for my personal tastes but I was still imPRESSED (sorry) with how these lasted and with more perseverance I could have got a lot longer wear out of these by simply re-gluing it.

The red gel fantasy nails were my firm favourite from the bunch. These looked exactly as I’d hope a salon manicure to and again were super quick and easy to apply.

Turns out false nails have come a long way since my initial experiment with them (which if I recall correctly was a £1 pack from Primark that ended in a massive mess) and with party season fast approaching I’ll be seeking out the perfect pack to complement my outfits whilst saving £££ on a salon manicure.

KISS and imPRESS nails are available from both Boots.com* and Superdrug* and although I am yet to try every product I’ve been sent you can check out my instagram for snapshots and more thoughts as I do give them a whirl.

If you have any top tips for wearing falsies, or have any specific recommendations then do let me know…I’m game on for further expanding my horizons.

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Posted in beauty, nails, review

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Down at the Piano Bar with Vendula London

28th September 2016
The champions of unique Vendula London creative bags have done it again with their gorgeous new collection of handbags. I have quite a collection of Vendula London by now but I think my latest addition, from their Piano Bar collection has to be a favourite.

Dress: New Look | Blouse: H&M | Loafers: New Look | Bag c/o Vendula London

This bag, in what appears to be a first for Vendula London has actual glitter on it. You have no idea how happy this makes me! I opted for the pink version of the bag but it also comes in black. Other than the colour there is one small difference in that the pink bag has a finer glitter which won’t damage clothing whereas the black has thicker, coarser glitter that is only on the front of the bag to avoid potential damages. The attention to detail on Vendula bags is second to none, these are real statement pieces that are well worth every penny of the price. If piano bars aren’t your thing then make sure to check out their other collections…Downtown Abbey fans you’re in for a treat!

This is such a classy piece that dresses up any outfit. With my sights set firmly on getting back to work soon I decided to pop on an office appropriate outfit and I feel that this bag works well with it…but it would also look great with a party dress for a swanky night out.

The pinafore dress is the same as the purple one I featured the other week but in black from the tall range. At under £15 I couldn’t resist getting both, and the h&m blouse was another ridiculous bargain at under a tenner.

This post is a bit all over the place, which pretty much sums up myself right now too. I’m working on getting my head straight though so in the mean time just sit back, relax and enjoy the whole point of this post- the glorious handbag!

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Posted in accessories, bags, brands I love, life stuff, outfits, review

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Win £250 of Superdry Vouchers with Voucherbox*

27th September 2016
To celebrate the launch of their A/W collection fashion brand Superdry have teamed up with voucherbox.co.uk to run an exclusive giveaway where one lucky person will win £250 worth of vouchers to spend on gorgeous new season pieces.

Superdry’s range champions high-quality products that fuse vintage Americana and Japanese-inspired graphics with classic British style.

Their latest collection celebrates the versatility of Superdry, with a focus on the finer detail. Leather sleeve patches, subtle embossed logos, woven labels and tonal metal finishes carry the signature Superdry branding for a sophisticated style expression.

This season’s menswear collection unites a cool monochromatic palette with robust autumn colours, while the womenswear collection boasts three distinct trends for a diverse winter wardrobe.

To be in with a chance of winning you just need to click through to the competition page and follow the simple instructions which literally just involves signing up to receive alerts for exclusive Superdry discount codes and offers (so a win/win situation really!)

The competition is open to UK residents only and runs through until Tuesday 4th October (closing at midnight). I’ve just signed myself up, I could do with some retail therapy right about now! Good luck if you do too.

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Posted in brands I love, competition, competitions

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Affordable Autumn Makeup from Essence

26th September 2016
I’m one of those people who likes to change their makeup along with the season. During the warmer months I keep things simple- a nude eye, a pinky lipstick…perhaps a bit of bronzer if I’m feeling daring. As soon as the nights begin to close in though I change. Out comes the eyeliner, the smokier shadows and darker lips. It can be expensive keeping up with it all, especially when you’re a sucker for anything labelled “new” but thankfully there are brands out there like Essence who make keeping on trend whilst on a budget a breeze. The brand recently sent me over a few of their new Autumn collection to try out so read on if you want to know about some serious bargain buys!

Products c/o Essence

As you can see the eyeliner is quite different to those we’re used to and at first I wasn’t too sure what to make of the ball ended tip. It’s designed so it can be used for either dots or lines and after a few stop-start attempts I soon learnt to love this long lasting liner (which costs a mere £2.50). I’ve been a big fan of Essence’s eyeshadows since I first discovered the brand and instantly loved the metallic nude shade I was sent. I’ve been using this as a highlight shade, paired with berry tones and smokey browns and it applies like a dream and lasts all day long (a bargain at £2.50).

The lipstick (only £2.30!) is darker than I’d usually wear but actually I really love it. I’ve had to reserve it for brave days as I’m still a bit shy about wearing a statement lip colour but I love the berry shade and it will be perfect with the Autumnal colour palette I’m hoping to channel in my wardrobe.

Last but not least comes the nail polish. This is such a lovely shade of grey and makes a great neutral alternative to nudes. As with all Essence polishes it goes the distance with longevity (well, it makes it to three days on me which is a miracle) and costs a teeny tiny £1.60. The nail polishes from Essence are probably my all round favourite product and at that price there’s no reason not to own a whole rainbow of shades!

Does your makeup change with the seasons?

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Posted in beauty, brands I love, make up, review

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Finding A Job In 2016*

25th September 2016
In this day and age it may seem that it is incredibly hard to find a job in such an over-saturated market. If you are a recent graduate it can feel like you will never find a job in your field of interest or that you will need to go back to education just to land a job related to your degree. The reality is that yes, it is hard to find your dream job but it has always been this way. What has changed is that technology allows you to look for jobs more easily than ever. Sites such as Jobrapido allow you to access thousands of job openings and to apply to hundreds per day. Here are some tips on how you can maximise your job search to begin your dream career and find a job you’ll love.
According to new trends there is still a plethora of opportunity in the mobile, analytics, health care technology and automation industries. What do all of these have in common you may be wondering? They all are being innovated through technological advances and need skilled employees who are on the pulse of this new age. Anything within the healthcare field is also growing due to the ageing population and is also being merged with innovative industries.

When we talk about an over-saturated market we are pointing out that there are many people entering the workforce with degrees. However skills and experience are always more helpful on top of a good education. When you have graduated it is important to never stop developing your skills to make them more applicable to real world scenarios and careers. If you are pursuing a masters degree for example you may want to find a more specific program in order to allow yourself to stand out from the crowd.

There are many job boards and websites to start your search for a job but you will also want to check out talent communities. These are interactive discussions between employees and potential employees as well as employers. You automatically have to specify which industry/industries you are looking for a job in return you’ll have a platform for future opportunities. It is also a great way to network and learn more about jobs before you decide to take one.

Mobile devices allow you to stay connected no matter what and apply for jobs on the go. When you have free time during your current job or are commuting you apply to any number of jobs per day. These job applications have the interface and interaction people crave making job searching more fun than scrolling through descriptions and trying to pick the best opportunity. There are so many ways to make job hunting more interesting and more effective try out all of these suggestions and you may find yourself landing your dream job in no time!

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Posted in inspiration, work

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