Nails - Jewel Decals

I'm in love with these jewel nail decals by Jolly Good Studio. I'm big on supporting other crafters, so when I saw these (and obviously fell in love with them) I couldn't resist.

I only used three on each hand (I want to make them last!). They are very easy to apply. Just cut out a gem, apply a little water with a paintbrush, slide the gem off the backing paper and apply to the nail. A good top coat will seal it. I applied the decals over Topshop Tidal which is such a pretty grey-blue colour. I love it.

Recent purchases

After being a bit more careful with my money for the majority of September - yes, I kept to my word! - I took myself off for a spot of shopping on my day off on Friday. I had a few things in mind which I wanted to get - such as a new winter coat, which I am still looking for - but ended up with this lot instead [excuse the rubbish lighting].






The dress is from Zara and cost me £7.99! I later ripped the stickers off to reveal its original price - £35.99. It is the most perfect colour - I absolutely love it. There were only a few of these left in a size medium, and it is a little baggy on me so I might take it in a bit. But, helloooo - £7.99!!!

The cardigan is from h&m. They also had it in black but I don't have many white things so thought I'd have a change. I love the knit and the button at the top!

I actually got the jacket a week or so ago. I've seen many versions of that leather sleeve jacket. This one is actually from the kids section of new look - no shame when it's basically the same thing and cheaper! The age 14-15 fits me perfectly. It looks a bit crap on the hanger. But I really like it. You can kinda see how it looks when worn here.

The cat tee arrived this morning. It might be a bit in your face [quite literally], but I don't care. Again, this looks better on. I downsized and went for an 8, so if you're thinking of ordering it I recommend you do that as it's quite baggy!

I also bought a few little bits and bobs, such as the Louise Gray lipstick in Legend [stepping right out of my comfort zone with that!], essie bikini so teeny and a Twilight bath bomb from Lush.

Before I end this post, I've got a few things up on ebay in a bid to have a clear out/get a bit of extra cash together for Chrismas gift buying! So if you'd like to take a look, go here - all bids starting at 99p.

Recent purchases - vintage, h&m & personalised rose gold

Just a few things I have aquired recently.




The mint green blouse is vintage [1970s], a great ebay find. Been after a shirt this colour for a while, so was pleased to find it!

Lots of love for rose gold with the shoes from h&m [£7 in the sale!] and the personalised necklace from a lovely little shop on etsy. Might do a seperate post on the necklace;I'm so happy with it!



And then I had a bit of a splurge Saturday - bought this burgandy jumper in h&m [couldn't find the coral one on my wishlist, still on the look out!] and the socks are Topshop [obviously].

What have you been buying lately?

Birthday gifts.

I was given some amazing presents for my birthday last Saturday, and thought I would share a few of them with you. I'm still waiting on my present from my brother and sister-in-law but I'm told it's in the post on its way to me. Don't you just love it when the gifts keep coming after your birthday? ;)

Topshop bunny onesie,Zara jeggings, New Look lilac blazer [which I also have in mint], slippers, Plastic Cameras by Michelle Bates, Toy Cameras by Kevin Meredith, Mo Hayder Hanging Hill, Remington straighteners [I think my boyfriend prefers my hair straight..], Paperchase cupcake set, cake pops kit [already tried! :)], Hello Kitty pasta shapes [joke present from Ben's Mum], keyring with the meaning of my name, Yankee Vanilla Cupcake candle, Starbucks and Vue giftcards.

Nails - Aztec

I got the inspiration for these nails from the skirt in this post. Never done Aztec nails before and I don't think they look too bad for a first try!



I used my favourite nail polish, Models Own Utopia, for the base then created the Aztec pattern using my Topshop nail art pens.



I hope you're enjoying your weekend! Mine has been pretty relaxed so far. Made some mini egg rocky road this morning - have been ordered to make more - and popped into town to get my bridesmaid shoes, which I love. My friend is popping over later for me to do her nails, so I've got to get my big collection of nail polishes out for her to choose what she wants done! Speaking of nail polish/nail art - has anyone seen this? It looks great, have pre-ordered my copy!

Recent buys.

Wednesday was Ben's birthday and we spent the day in London. We went for lunch at The Diner in Soho then headed to Oxford St for a spot of shopping. The plan was that I bought Ben a few bits as, although I had given him a few presents, I didn't get him much as there wasn't anything he could think of. Well, that plan was soon scrapped as the fussy bugger couldn't find anything he liked! I did shop for myself, though [I have a very patient boyfriend].







♥ White leopard heart embellished tank from River Island. It was Ben who enabled me to get this, said it was 'very me'.
♥ I caved and bought the RI aztec skirt I featured in my wishlist a couple of posts back. BIG LOVE.
♥ Topshop nail polishes in Green Room and Celestial.
♥ I wanted a lovely pink lipstick, this Topshop one ticks all the boxes. The shade is 'innocent'.
♥ Couldn't go to Soho without popping into the Lomography Gallery Store. I got a Splitzer for my Diana F+.

What have you been spending your cashmere on lately? I'm finding it hard to resist buying more 'stuff', but I really should stop as we have to pay off our holiday next month!

I hope everyone has a great weekend. My plan for this afternoon/evening is to go to the gym and then come home and watch take me out! I started couch to 5k this week and will be doing my third run of week 1 later. Has anyone else done it? How did you find it? I'm not much of a runner at all but it's something I've wanted to be able to do for a while.

Nails - peter pan collar

I hope everyone has had a lovely weekend? And kept warm! I'm not a fan of snow, so when it started coming down last night I wasn't too impressed...however, the snowball fight my boyfriend and I had on the way home from the cinema [really recommend seeing Chronicle!] was pretty fun. Not looking so pretty out there today though - it's just a dirty, sludgy mush. So we spent this morning in bed and then booked our holiday to Cyprus this afternoon - it may be cold outside, but I'm dreaming of laying by the pool at our hotel which is right on the beach :)

Anyway, onto the nails!

Browsing Pinterest, I came across an amazing tutorial for peter pan collar nails! They instantly reminded me of tuxedo nails, which I've never really fancied doing on my own nails - but peter pan collars? Yes please!



I decided to do mine in black and pink, as I love the colours together. Mine may not look as good as those in the tutorial, but they're really easy to do - the hardest part is cleaning them up after, to be fair! I used Models Own Black Magic with my Topshop pink nail art pen.

Nails - glitter tips

I've been signed off work with a bad back. I had back pain a couple of weeks ago, but ignored it and it seemed to go away on its own. But I was running on the tredmill at the gym the other day when I felt it 'go' again - got a doctors appointment on Friday [after a lot of hassle at work, my managers are so selfish!] and he signed me off straight away. Got some strong painkillers and have been advised to rest - NO GYM :( Must admit, I haven't been resting as much as I should, I'm the type of person who likes to be doing things. Still, my back is starting to feel better and it is nice to have the week off! And I get to have my nais painted all week!



For these nails I used Topshop Butterscotch Babe with Models Own Juicy Jules on the tips. I outlined the glitter tips with my blue Topshop nail art pen. I really like the contrast of the colours.



Need to dash off to the boyfriend's - he tells me he has 'treats', that'll make me go faster!

Nails - Diamond

This will be my last post of 2011 - crazy how fast the year has flown by!

For these nails I used barry m limited edition lilac foil for the base and did scrawls using my pink topshop nail art pen mr messy style! On my ring finger I drew and coloured in a diamond, using my black, pink and blue topshop nail art pens.






It was only after I'd done my nails that I turned to Ben and said, 'look, a diamond on my ring finger - hint hint!' - a little light-heartedly, of course.

Right, must get dressed as going out for a nando's and mooch around town, before heading out to a bar tonight to welcome in 2012! Not really fussed by new years eve to be fair, bit over-rated in my opinion, but I don't really want to be stuck indoors either. Hope you all have a great night whatever you're doing! x

Christmas gifts.

I thought I would share some of my Christmas presents. I know I like to be nosey and see what others have got, so thought I would share some of mine! I'm so grateful to all my amazing friends and family, they know me so well. I got some really lovely things - Misfits & Outnumbered boxsets, Queen of Crafts, nail art stuff, smellies, money [always helps], pretty undies, socks, wine....but here are just a few of my favourite gifts.














♥ Lomography Sprocket Rocket camera.
♥ Cupcake maker! One of my favourite gifts from my boyfriend. So excited to use it.
♥ More baking bits! Silicone teacup cupcake moulds, piping bag and nozzles and jumbo silicone cupcake mould!
♥ Love Heart egg cups and cosies. I got these for my bestie for her last birthday and told my boyfriend I really liked them. He took note!
♥ Topshop purse. This was on my wishlist on amazon and I love it.
♥ Fisheye lens for my Diana F+

Has anyone else done a Christmas gift post? Link me to 'em, would love to see!

Recent purchases.

I got a tax rebate [woohoo], most of it has been put into savings but I have spent a bit of it...why not..

First I had a splurge on the Topshop website. My order came today.


Sheer stripe shirt, nail polish in Butterscotch Babe and nail art pen in Frozen.

I don't own many sheer things, and have always lusted over these kinda shirts. So when I saw this in the sale I grabbed it. Love the fact it comes with a belt - bonus! Never tried Topshop nail polish before so looking forward to giving this gorgeous shade a go, and after seeing Gem's post on the new Topshop nail art pens, I decided I had to try one out for myself! I've had a go with it and am quite impressed so far.

And I've also bought a couple of lovely chunky rings.



The arty imitation ring is from dixi, I really like the colour of the stone and think it makes the ring a bit different to some of the ones you see around. The leopard ring was an ebay find, I won it for about £2!

Now I must try to save my money..well, on clothes etc, that is. I still need to buy a present for my boyfriend's parents, and I have a couple of Christmas events coming up - starting with my work's do tomorrow night. Looking forward to it! Have a lovely weekend everyone. x

[edit] Just a reminder that the 20% discount code for my shop ends midnight tonight [Saturday 10th]. Just enter MISTLETOE at check out. All my jewellery comes wrapped up like a gift, so it's perfect if you're getting a present for someone! Free shipping still going :) [/edit]