Featured Blogger #3 - Edible Glitter

Right folks, today is the day I get back on track (despite feeling a bit of a hypocrite blogging about fashion in my jammies & 'the poorly cardigan'!)

It is time for #3 in my Featured blogger series. I hope that you are enjoying these posts and that they are introducing you to other blogs to read. This post is about a great blog that I follow called Edible Glitter. The blog covers a great variety of subjects, including Food & drink, Fashion & beauty and Art. I love how varied and interesting the blog is, it really is a great read.

I am lucky enough to have come into contact with the writer of Edible Glitter, Angharad via twitter since I started blogging (you can follow her on twitter @Glitterblog) So I asked Angharad a few questions to introduce her and her fabulous blog to my readers.

Blog Giveaway - Jewellery Genie Necklace - WE HAVE A WINNER!

Apologies for the lack of blog posts this week my lovelies, I have been too ill to get them done and I didn't want to post badly written items which I hadn't given proper attention to. (again I can hear tiny weeny violins!) Normal blogging will commence tomorrow - Promise

Anyway, this is a little blog post to announce the winner of my FIRST EVER blog giveaway! The gorgeous necklace from The Jewellery Genie now has an owner! *drum roll....*

@sharonkitten (twitter name) - you are the winner, congratulations! (I am jealous!)

Please DM me on twitter or email me (see my contact details at the top of the page) with your full name and address, and the necklace shall be on its way to you!

BIG THANK YOU to all of you who entered, those who RT'd the competition on twitter and of course, extra special thanks to Annie aka The Jewellery Genie for being so lovely and helping me have my first blog giveaway.

I hope that there will be more to come, as I love you all for reading this blog so much.
Nikki xxxxx

Loving this week....

Serious apologies for my like of postings guys. I have been really ill and haven't been able to do anything (can you hear the sound of a thousand tiny violins?) I promise I will make it up to and get things back to normal (or as normal as it gets for me!)

Starting with a much belated Loving This Week post....

Ugly Betty

Loving that Ugly Betty is back on our screens. I have been missing my fix of Marc and Amanda, who are totally my favourite characters.
The new season is currently showing on E4, Wed at 9pm or you can also watch on 4OD

Image Source

50% off at Models Own

The models own 50% facebook sale is now on! You have to be a fan on facebook to use the offer, and it ends FRIDAY at midnight (GMT) to read my blog post about the sale and my picks click here (also keep your eyes peeled for a blog post featuring their products this week!)

 Image source models own fb page

Best Coast 

Can't get enough of Best Coast at the moment, they are a really great band I heard on 6music a while ago. Their album Crazy for you (Wichita) is out now...





GAP online 
Yes ladies and gents, you can now shop at GAP from the comfort of your home in the UK! Just go to http://www.gap.eu/ and shop away!

AW maxi skirt starts early 
The maxi dress was big news this summer and the maxi skirt is set to be big for AW. I'm already loving the look. I know that some people aren't keen on it, but if done right I think it can look great. Check out these celebs who have mastered the art of the maxi skirt - 

  images from Shudoo, My celebrity fashion and Look

Style Steal - Olivia Palermo

Sorry folks, I'm a day late with this style steal! Today's outfit is inspired by The City star, Olivia Palermo - rocking tailored shorts & a blouse

• Blouse, £29 - La Redoute
• High wasted shorts, £30 - Miss Selfridge
• Bag, £19.99 - TK Maxx
• Shoes, £38 - ASOS

Nail disaster and how I fixed it!

I am a total nail varnish addict, and I'm really lucky that my nails have always remained in good condition. As well as wearing A LOT of nail varnish of various shades and colours over the years, I have made sure I have taken care of my hands and nails to make sure they stay in good condition.

Despite this being the case, I made a total rookie mistake recently, and the trouble it took me to rectify the mistake has inspired this week's beauty post! I recently bought some yellow nail varnish (I had a pic but cannot find it, think I must have deleted it off my Blackberry *eye roll*) which I was dying to use. I had ran out of basecoat but thought 'It's a light colour, it will be fine' - It was not fine! This is what I did to my nails....

Bit of blog news

I have won the models own facebook competition!!!! 

Yesterday I had some great news, and I wasn't sure if I could share it with you! But today it was officially announced that I won first prize in the models own facebook competition! My winning post can be found here!
I have won some great model's own  goodies (which I will blog about once they arrive!) - Don't forget you can get some half price models own goodies when they reach 10,000 fans (just click 'like' on their Facebook page)

This is what I've won! (Image from the Models own website)

I have also had some lovely messages from people on facebook & twitter, which I really appreciate - you are all so lovely to me! I hope that the blog is enjoyable for you all to read as I really love doing it and it has become such a big part of my life since I started it!

OTHER NEWS....

• Don't forget - you still have until the end of the month to enter my first ever blog giveaway -  CLICK HERE to find out how to enter
• Please support my new adventure - KUKOO FAIRS - a new fashion fair me & my friend are organising for details check out the new blog page (and don't forget to follow us on twitter & facebook!)

LOVE & HUGS to you all for your support - keep visiting the blog and commenting where you can!
Nikki xxxx

The geek shall inherit the earth...

As I pointed out in one of my Loving this week posts, I am totally loving geek/nerd looks at the moment. Other people seem to be loving it too as it is featuring in a lot of AW look books, and even celebrities are donning thick framed geekalicious glasses. If only this look was around when I first got my glasses as a teen *sigh*

Inspiration....

Image sources - Trendhunter,bits of beauty, Elle Uk, Fashion Bite,tattoo socks @ Etsy, Real Detroit, 

upper east side kiwi, India info.com, Fashionista,become gorgeous, Plymouth staff choices

Somewhere Over the Rainbow

Inspired by Natasha Bailie's Post about The Wizard of Oz turning 71, I decided to pay homage to one of my favourite films, and one of the most loved films ever.

This is not a post about costumes, I have selected clothing inspired by the characters. I hope you enjoy having a look as much as I enjoyed putting these looks together!

• Necklace, £8 - Punky Pins
• Shoes, £39 - Miss Selfridge
• Socks, £3 - Topshop
• Bag, £30 - Accessorize
• Dress, £20 - Rare @ ASOS

Loving this week....

Look at me all caught up with my blog posting! Finally Loving this week is on the day that is should be! So what am I loving this week?

Wild Olive

Wild olive is a gorgeous blog by Mollie Johanson. She also has an Etsy shop selling super cute embroidery patterns. For a snippet of just how cute, you can print of these super cute thread bobbins for free from her blog.

image from Wilde olive

Kukoo Fairs

Kukoo Fairs 

Kukoo fairs is a new & exciting project that I am organising with my amazing friend Nicki (yes seriously, she is called Nicki as well!) who runs a vintage shop in Liverpool called Geek.

The idea was to start up a fair for the Liverpool area that supports Independent & creative sellers. We wanted to set up the fair to highlight these fabulous people in our area who are doing their own thing.

The first Fair will be held at Aloha Bar, Colquit Street, Liverpool

12th September 2010

Image from google maps

You can keep up to date with all things Kukoo via the following:

• Facebook 
• Twitter

Whatever it Takes

I know that my readers come here to read about fashion and clothing and it is often (OK always) a bit on the silly side. But there are other things that I care about passionately other than fashion (*insert dramatic music*).
One such thing that I feel passionately about is the people who really want to make a difference and devote a lot of themselves to raise awareness and money for good causes.

Don't worry folks, I am not going to get preachy with you, I just ask that you read this post. I promise that it is worth it and you will get to see some pretty nice fashion related goods in the process.

A few years ago my other half bought me a wristband from a charity called Whatever it Takes - it was designed by the band HIM (look them up if you don't know who they are, also be amazed at my secret Gothic leanings).
There were other wristbands by other bands too. All of them had designed their own for this organisation. My wristband came with a tag that had a website address so I thought I would check it out. I am so glad that I did as they are an amazing organisation!

They are a unique charity who get famous people to make a design for them, which they then use on a number of products which they sell to raise money.  The list of people they have got on board is amazing - Diane Von Furstenburg, Vivienne Westwood, Stella McCartney, Pink Floyd, the Killers, Alexander McQueen ... I could go on but you should just check out their site!

If that hasn't convinced you here are some examples of what they sell....

Stella McCartney Designed Purse £10.99

Vivienne Westwood Designed Bag £19.99 (which I am lusting after!)

 David Bowie Designed canvas print £10.99 (yes please!)

I really wanted to let people know about the work that Whatever it takes are doing. So I decided to use the blog to speak about such a good cause. I emailed them and they kindly emailed me back about what they do, and their newest products...

Whatever It Takes - a unique charity programme - launches a brand new collection of bags featuring artwork donated by international film stars, fashion designers and musicians including Lily Allen, Diane von Furstenberg (Limited Edition), Charlize Theron and Joseph Corré from Agent Provocateur, as well as some original favourites from previous ranges including Nicole Kidman, Coldplay, Ronnie Wood and Donna Karan.

The Whatever It Takes celebrity artworks have inspired a whole collection of products – from wristbands to clothing, from tableware to t-shirts and stationery – sold to raise much needed funds for key global development projects including environmental conservation, poverty alleviation and the protection of children.

There are two different styles available and each is made from cotton canvas, each bag features an artwork donated by the celebrity, with a portion of proceeds from sale of each bag donated to 21st Century Leaders Foundation to support key global projects, including those nominated by the celebrity artists.

Following designs by: Dianne Von Furstenburg, Charlize Theron, James Cauty (The KLF), Joseph Corre (a. provocateur) and Lily Allen

http://shop.whateverittakes.org/

Models own half-price sale!!!

Models Own are currently promising their fans 50% off if they reach 10, 000 fans on their facebook page by the end of August!
So if you, like myself are a fan of their makeup get on there and click the 'Like' button! 
If you aren't aware of models own, you totally should be! They are a brilliant beauty brand that are so reasonably priced that I honestly don't know how they do it!

Here are some of my picks of their products
(more can be found on their site or click here for stockists)

1. Red is always the go-to lipstick shade (if you don't believe me ask Dita Von Teese) and you can't get a more perfect shade than this gorgeous lipstick in Scarlet 
2. I am a big fan of multi-use make up products (the more they do, the more space you have in your handbag!) This great lip and cheek tint defiantly gives you value for money (£6 for your lips and cheeks!) You can also vary the intensity by using varying amounts.
3. This lip gloss is a great investment for your day look. If like me, you don't tend to go for full on lips of a day time, a gloss is the way to go. This gloss in Ballet pink is so cute and perfect to keep your lips looking luscious during the day!

1. Brown eyeshadow appeared on many of the AW catwalks and this loose powder eye shadow in mocha is perfect for a daytime look. I love a bit of loose powder eyeshadow and find I can get more colour using them as I'm mixed race and can often find it hard to make colours stand out against my skin. I would also mix it with some gold to take it from day to night.
2. Let's face it folks, we aren't all blessed with luscious long eyelashes (I know that I'm not!) For those of us who are eyelash challenged, fake lashes can be a god send! These natural ones are perfect for adding to your own lashes for a bit of oomph. Models own also do a fabulous range of other eyelashes that are perfect for clubbing.
3. I am an eyeliner fiend (I have more than I need and yet I continue to buy more!) I really love this one in Black Knight as it has a hint of glitter, great for a night out, or even a more adventurous day look. The drag queen within me loves a bit of sparkle!
4. I am also totally loving the Graphite Grey loose eye powder. It has a gorgeous metallic look and is defiantly one to chuck in your going out make up bag. 

1. This nail varnish in Scarlet sparkle just screams Wizard of Oz to me! I have dreamt of owning ruby slippers since a child, but gorgeous sparkling red nails will suffice for now.
2. Another of my faves from the glitter collection is Magenta Divine just gorgeous! 
3. And finally, Grey is big news in nail varnish at the moment. So many celebs have been sporting the look of late. This one in Misty Grey is perfect!

First of all ladies, I just need to point out that I have shown three nail varnish colours here but there are soooo many amazing colours, you really need to check out the website.
Second of all, I just need to remind you that you could get twice as many of these colours if models own reach 10, 000 fans on their facebook page
Just go to the page and  click the 'Like' button and we can all have twice as much of this make up in our lives!

Don't forget, you can find the models own facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/modelsown

Images from Models Own Facebook Page & ASOS

Style Steal - Mollie King

Time for this week's style steal post (which lo and behold is actually going up on the blog on the day it should! Bow to my organisation skills!)

This week's post is based on an outfit sported by Mollie King (of the Saturday's) I have to admit I didn't know who she was till yesterday!

 Image source

Get the Look...

• Belt, £3.75 - Tesco Clothing
• Dress, £35 - Miss Selfridge
• Bag, £45 - ASOS
• Shoes, £79 - VivaLaDiva

Something Fishy's going on...

Today's beauty post is all about fishtails. Not this kind -

This kind...

Images from emoda, shine from yahoo, Look, Elle

I am a lover of the braid/plait whatever you want to call it. I am especially a fan of one that can look nice when not completely perfect (with hair like mine it is pretty impossible to achieve a perfect 'do so I like a bit of 'deliberate' mess).

The braid that seems to be doing the rounds of late is the 'fishtail' plait. I am completely rubbish at such things so I am trying to up my beauty blogging expertise (clothes I can do, hair I am rubbish with!) I have decided that I like a bit of a challenge and shall therefore be trying to achieve said 'fishtail' by following this video from Look magazine's site....



I think this video is pretty good, although it is showing you how to braid someone else's hair and I found that I had to have a few tries to get it right doing it on my own hair. It's a bit awkward at first but I think with practice I could get a bit quicker at it. Here are some pics of the results (apologies for the rubbish quality, I took them on my Blackberry and it was 1am!)

Rachel Zoe - 'Literally I. DIE'

I know a lot of other blogs have done this topic and if you read a few blogs you may roll your eyes at this post, but I really love Rachel Zoe and had to post some of the pics from her Harper's Bazaar Photo shoot because it made me smile!

Images from Harper's Bazaar from Grazia Daily

Here is a behind the scenes interview from the photo shoot with Rachel from Harper's Bazaar

Loving this week....

Considering my aim is to do these posts on a Saturday I am super behind! One day dear readers, I will catch up with myself, I promise.

Anyhoo, here is this week's Loving this Week - 

Stella McCartney AW campaign
Loving the cartoon style illustrations by Barry Reigate contrasted with the simple chic of the collection. 

 

Image source - Fashionologie

Geek & Nerd Style

I think that I will be going between a retro nerd style and ladylike this Autumn/Winter...

Loving the Heritiage 1981 Fall 2010 Lookbook (have a peek here at Trend Hunter) as a source of inspiration.

Image source - Trend hunter

Also totally loving the Forever 21 AW Lookbook (again have a gander at trend hunter)

Image source - Trend hunter

Lou Doillon for Anthony VaccarelloA/W Lookbook

I have a proper style crush on Lou Doillon. She always oozes style and sex appeal no matter what she wears. She looks amazing in the Anthony Vaccarello Look Book -

  Image Source -  St Honore

Frances Bean all grown up!

Frances Bean Cobain (offspring of Kurt Cobain and Courtney Love) has grown up into a fabulous young lady. Now 17 years old she has developed her own style (one more subtle than her mother's!)

  Images from Marie Claire, The trip wire & three in a crowd

Pigeons and Peacocks

No this isn't another blog post were I waffle on about birds and how I am currently obsessed with them (but I am!) I sent off for Pigeons & Peacocks, a magazine created by London College of Fashion which I got the other day (it was FREE!) I am so in love with it! Visit their blog here